Danapur Cantonment, Khagaul areas spruced up

PATNA: The district administration and several social volunteers were engaged in cleaning of the ‘ghats’ at

Danapur cantonment

, Khagaul and Phulwarisharif areas on Sunday for Chhath puja.

Army jawans of Danapur cantonment were seen cleaning the ghats falling under the Army Cantonment Board jurisdiction.

According to a Danapur cantonment board official, about 1.5 lakh people are likely to visit the ghats in that area to offer ‘arghya’ to the Sun God. A large number of devotees visit the ghats at Anand Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Machhuatoli, Lal Kothi, Kali Sthan, Takiyapar, Nasariganj, Bibiganj, Pontoon bridge and Nayatola to offer ‘arghya’, he said.

The district administration has declared Awasthi ghat, Nariyal ghat and Nasariganj ghat as vulnerable. The local administration has taken all possible measures to ensure safety of the devotes at the ghats, said Danapur Nagar parishad ex-chairman Om Prakash Yadav, adding the district administration has barricaded the unsafe ghats.

About 10 ghats under the direct control of Danapur cantonment board were cleaned on Sunday. The board has kept a few boats in readiness and arranged medical facilities at the ghats for any emergency. Sufficient lights have been installed at the ghats for the devotees’ convenience, the official said.

Some residents of Danapur, however, said there was still no water at two-three ghats though the district administration has made all arrangements for the devotees. There are altogether 28 ghats under the Danapur Nagar Parishad, they said.

Khagaul Nagar Parishad chairman Rinku Kumari said the 1km stretch of Khagaul canal was cleaned for Chhath. “Here people from railway colony and adjoining localities offer ‘arghya’ in large numbers,” she said.

Former Khagaul Nagar Parishad chairman Sunil Kumar said volunteers would also man the traffic at the canal ghat during Chhath.

People also volunteered to clean the streets and ghats near Shiv Mandir in Phulwarisharif and other areas, said Arvind Gupta.