Four Yamuna canal ghats to be paved for Chhath Puja devotees

During Chhath Puja and other special occasions, residents of the twin cities Yamunanagar and Jagadhri will no longer have to bathe or worship on unpaved ghats.

The Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Yamunanagar, will pave and construct four ghats along the Western Yamuna Canal, spending about Rs 2 crore on this project.

Mayor Suman Bahamani said that the Irrigation Department had issued an e-tender of Rs 2 crore for paving the four ghats.

“The agency, which will be awarded this work through the tender process, will complete the construction of the Chhath Puja ghats in about six months. Along with the paved ghats, stairs will also be built to enter the canal at all four locations,” said Mayor Suman Bahamani.

She said steel chains would be installed on the paved ghats to prevent people from wading into deep water.

“Separate toilets for men and women will be built at each ghat. Separate dustbins will be placed at all four locations for dry and wet waste. It is expected that on the occasion of next Chhath Puja, devotees will get the facility of paved ghats,” said Bahamani.

She said the paved ghats along the Western Yamuna Canal would benefit millions of devotees and reduce accidents.

“Under the project, the ghats near the Hamida Head of the Western Yamuna Canal, the Badhi Majra East Ghat, the Badhi Majra West Ghat, and near Chitta Hanuman Mandir Ghat will be paved. Facilities will be provided at these ghats on the pattern of ghats constructed in Panchkula,” said Bahamani.

She said that the construction of concrete ghats along the Western Yamuna Canal would ease the annual Chhath festival, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning.

She further said that the concrete ghats would also reduce the risk of accidents, as there was a risk of slipping on unpaved ghats.

“Besides Yamunanagar and Jagadhri, there are several hundred plywood and metal factories in the rural areas, employing thousands of workers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and other states. These workers reside in the district with their families. They celebrate Chhath with great enthusiasm,” said Bahamani.

She said that in addition to the Badhi Majra Bridge, a large number of people gather annually to celebrate Chhath at several ghats, including Darwa Ghat, Hamida Head, Jammu Colony, Chitta Mandir Ghat, and Buria Ghat.

“Unpaved ghats pose a risk of accidents. The construction of concrete ghats will allow devotees to perform puja in a safe environment,” said Bahamani.