NEW DELHI
Even as the war of words continues between the Aam Adami Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with each party blaming the other for not adequately preparing for the Chhath festival, the AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has made a 10-point plan for the Chhath preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.
Addressing the media, Durgesh Pathak, AAP MCD in-charge, said that meticulous preparations have been made for Chhath Mahaparv and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a 10-point plan. This plan includes the construction of ghats and provision of lights and toilet facilities at the ghats, among other things.
Elaborating on the 10-point plan, Pathak said: «First, excellent ghats will be constructed. Second, arrangements for tents will be made there. Third, there will be provision for lights as people come for Chhath Puja in the morning and at night. Fourth, toilet facilities will be provided at every ghat. Fifth, arrangements for water are being made. Sixth, provisions for ambulances are being made so that there is no trouble in case of any medical emergency. Seventh, doctors will also be deputed. Eighth, cultural programmes are being organised on people›s demands. Ninth, ghats are being constructed near people›s homes. Tenth, the Chief Minister has asked all the MLAs, councillors, ward presidents, organisation secretaries and volunteers to be present at the ghats 24×7 to serve people and ensure they don›t face any problems, during the festival.”
“Before the AAP government came to power, there were only 70 Chhath ghats built with government assistance in entire Delhi. Now, more than a thousand magnificent ghats are being constructed,” Pathak said, emphasising the substantial increase in infrastructure for Chhath Puja.
Pathak added, “For the first time in the history of MCD, each ward has been allocated Rs 40,000 to facilitate the construction and arrangements of the ghats.” Pathak said that the Chhath puja preparations extend to every ward in Delhi, catering to the large population of people from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. According to officials, the MCD has spent Rs 1 crore for Chhath puja preparations across its 250 wards.
Mayor Shelly Oberoi said that AAP councillors have set up a committee in their respective wards to manage crowds during Chhath puja celebrations at the ghats and local volunteers along with the municipal councillors will help supervise the celebrations.