Lucknow: Urban Development and Energy Minister of Uttar Pradesh, A.K. Sharma reached Kudiaghat in Lucknow and inspected the preparations being done for Chhath festival and gave necessary instructions to make better arrangements.
He said that Chhath festival has started with the ritual of Nahaye Khaye, devotees have immense faith and enthusiasm for this four-day festival. Lakhs of devotees celebrate the festival with great faith and belief by singing Chhathi Maiya’s songs at Chhath Puja Ghats and sites to fulfill their wishes.
He wished all the devotees, countrymen and state residents on Chhath Mahaparva and appealed to the devotees to celebrate Chhath festival with complete cleanliness and safety, plastic free and zero waste.
During the inspection, the Urban Development Minister instructed to improve the cleanliness, beautification and lighting arrangements from the Puja Ghats to all the routes. Necessary arrangements should be made so that there is no disruption in the power supply. All preparations should be completed on time at Chhath Ghats by holding a meeting with the Puja committees and on their suggestions. There should be adequate arrangements of bathing houses, mobile toilets, portable toilets, changing rooms and tankers for clean drinking water near the Ghats. Sign boards should also be installed so that people can avail the facilities easily.
A.K. Sharma said that people should be encouraged to celebrate Chhath festival as a zero waste and plastic free clean festival. Dustbins should be placed on the Ghats for dumping garbage. Proper arrangements should be made for regular lifting and disposal of Puja material and garbage, for this there should be adequate personnel and machines and loaders.
Puja material should not go into the water bodies, netted offering urns should be made on the Ghats. Water hyacinth should be removed from the water bodies on the Ghats. Barricading should be done in the water to prevent children and devotees from going into deep water.
There should be adequate security arrangements on the Puja Ghats and routes, no one should face any problem. People’s cooperation should also be taken to run the system in a better manner. There should also be adequate police force for security arrangements on the Ghats and routes.
He said that lime should be sprayed to ensure that there is no dirt on Chhath Ghats, places of worship and roads, and anti-larva spraying and fogging should also be done to avoid mosquitoes. There should be proper arrangement for parking of vehicles. Signage should be installed for entry and exit to the Ghats and to welcome the devotees.
He asked for better lighting arrangements at the Ghats and further cleaning of water at the Ghats. He said that Kudiaghat will be developed as an important tourist destination of Lucknow in the coming time. He said that he inspected the preparations for Chhath Ghats by visiting many places in Lucknow and Barabanki. Good arrangements are being made at all places, instructions have been given to complete whatever deficiencies have been seen.
During the inspection, Municipal Commissioner Indrajit Singh, Additional Municipal Commissioner Chief Engineer Mahesh Verma along with Municipal Corporation and LDA officials were present.
