Patna: Preparations are underway at four major ghats in the Digha area for Chhath Puja, with temporary changing rooms, passenger sheds and control rooms being set up for devotees. The ghats being prepared are Shiva Ghat, Digha Patipul Ghat, Minar Ghat and Janardan Ghat.More than 20 temporary changing rooms, along with passenger sheds and control rooms, are being built at the ghats. Over 10 watchtowers are also being set up for surveillance.According to a Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) engineer, the water resources department will assess the Ganga’s water level at the ghats before barricading is put in place. Red cloth will be used for the barricading based on the assessment report and the erosion situation. A two-layer security cordon will also be created in the water. Around Rs 60 lakh will be spent on strengthening security arrangements at the ghats, he said.At Digha Patipul Ghat, the receding Ganga has left the soil wet, with some stretches turning marshy. Sandbags will be placed in these areas to improve safety. A camp will also be set up outside the ghat. Worship materials were scattered across the ghat, said sources.“At Shiva Ghat, sandbags are being filled to level the area and create steps leading towards the Ganga. Double barricading will be done at these ghats,” the PMC engineer said.Janardan Ghat has been designated for VIPs. Mud and silt deposited on its steps during the floods are being removed. Safety measures are also being put in place to reduce the risk of devotees slipping while descending the steps to offer ‘arghya’. Sandbags are being prepared to address marshy patches.The four ghats vary in length. Shiva Ghat is about 80 metres long, Digha Patipul Ghat 90 metres, Minar Ghat 30 metres and Janardan Ghat around 20 metres. The arrangements are intended to facilitate the movement of devotees and the offering of ‘arghya’ during Chhath.A new plain cement concrete (PCC) road has been built through the underpass to improve access to the ghats, which fall under ward no. 1 of the PMC. Devotees will be able to walk about 150 metres from the temple through the underpass to reach the ghats. An area of around 500 metres in the upper section of the ghat is also being levelled.Two artificial ponds have been created in the ghat area for idol immersion. One of them is to be filled with soil and levelled to provide additional usable space around the ghats, said the official.
