KOLKATA: Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is making alternative arrangements at 39 ghats across the city for Chhath Puja.
The authorities on Tuesday held a meeting with KMC, police and local community representatives on the arrangements that were being done and on the prohibition to hold Chhath Puja at Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar.
“All the protocols that were followed last year will be strictly adhered to this year as well. There will be 32 temporary ghats and seven permanent ghats where Chhath Puja rituals can be followed. The ghats have been set up across the city — off EM Bypass, Lake Gardens, Patuli, Kasba and other places. All the arrangements that were made last year will be in place this time. The gates of Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar will remain closed. Cops will be posted to ensure Chhath Puja devotees stay out of these premises. There will be police assistance booths and medical camps at all the alternative ghats,” said a KMDA official.
It was on 2018 that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had summarily dismissed allowing Chhath Puja at Rabindra Sarobar to keep the lake water pollution-free. However, the state government had filed a review petition last year with the appeal to allow Chhath be observed in Rabindra Sarobar and the matter went to the Supreme Court. However, the court refused to grant a stay on the NGT order, following which KMDA came up with elaborate security arrangements to keep Chhath devotees out of Sarobar premises.
