Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed preparations for Chhath Puja through a video conference with senior govt and district officials, directing them to ensure comprehensive arrangements for devotees at major riverbanks, ponds and other worship sites across Uttar Pradesh.Calling Chhath a festival of faith, discipline, purity and gratitude towards nature, Yogi said lakhs of devotees are expected to participate across districts including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ballia, Azamgarh, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Basti and Kanpur Nagar. He instructed district administrations to complete preparations well in advance to avoid inconvenience to devotees and those observing the fast.According to the schedule, devotees will offer arghya to the setting sun on Nov 15, while the morning arghya to the rising sun and completion of the fast will take place on Nov 16.The chief minister directed officials to inspect all major Chhath sites and ghats and ensure proper cleaning of riverbanks, ponds and other water bodies. He said approach roads should be repaired and kept clean, and that drinking water, toilets and changing rooms for women must be arranged at venues.On safety, Yogi asked authorities to assess water levels and depths at major ghats and identify vulnerable locations. He directed that strong barricading and warning signage be installed at sensitive points to prevent devotees from entering deep waters. He ordered deployment of trained divers, boats and water police personnel, along with CCTV cameras and public address systems at prominent ghats for surveillance and crowd management.Special instructions were issued for the safety of women, children and elderly devotees, including adequate police deployment with women constables. Yogi asked police officers to ensure personnel at ghats behave sensitively and courteously and assist devotees.He directed district administrations to set up control rooms to monitor arrangements and asked police and administrative officials to coordinate on traffic plans to prevent congestion. Parking locations are to be identified in advance and diversions introduced where necessary.Keeping in view festival travel, the chief minister directed Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation to operate additional buses from Delhi to districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and ensure fares are not charged above prescribed rates.He also instructed the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments to conduct special cleanliness drives, ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and adequate lighting at worship sites, and keep alternative lighting ready. Directions included precautions against accidents linked to fireworks, preventing stray animals from entering ghats, and strict surveillance against anti-social elements.Yogi ordered first-aid centres at major locations, availability of ambulances and emergency medical services, and asked senior officials to conduct on-ground inspections and coordinate with local organisers and Chhath Puja committees. He also called for involving Civil Defence personnel, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers in crowd management and assistance to devotees.
