To keep revellers from twin lakes, KMC readies 23 ponds in S Kol, 11 in Beliaghata
Times of India | 19 November 2023
Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has made necessary arrangements at 23 ponds and water bodies in large parts of south Kolkata, including the Tollygunge-Jadavpur belt, for the Chhath devotees as an alternative venue to Rabindra Sarobar.
Of these ponds, many are artificial ponds.
Similarly, 11 ponds have been identified and developed for Chhath celebrations in the north-eastern parts of the city as Subhas Sarobar will also remain out of bounds for the devotees .
This apart, the KMC has made elaborate arrangements at the major ghats along the Hooghly river, including Bajekadamtolla (Babughat), Bagbazar Ghat, Mayer Ghat Ahiritolla Ghat, Sovabazar Ghat, Doighat (Kidderpore) and Takt Ghat (Kidderpore).
The KMC is setting up makeshift bio-toilets for the devotees at some of the major ghats along the Hooghly river. The KMC officials have been asked to patrol along some ghats, which draw huge crowd Besides,the KMC has created 111 temporary ghats adjacent to the permanent ones and ponds located across 144 wards.
The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and South Dum Dum civic authorities have also arranged temporary ghats with changing rooms and other facilities at different water bodies and ponds in their areas. Artificial water bodies have also been set up at different places. At BMC ward 38, which consists of Duttabad area and has several water bodies, ghats have been set up with several amenities like bio-toilets and changing rooms.
“Chhath devotees are being provided with puja items and other essentials for the festival,” said BMC ward 38 councillor, Alo Dutta.
The adjacent South Dum Dum municipality has also come up with arrangements at five to six large water bodies in Lake Town, Bangur and Dum Dum Park area, close to VIP Road, and near Nagerbazar and Bediapara. In New Town, the Biserjan Ghat will be used for the celebrations.