Kolkata lakes to stay shut for Chhath devotees, ghats get ready for rituals
Times of India | 3 November 2024
123 Kolkata: In compliance with a standing Calcutta High Court order, both Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar will remain closed from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon for Chhath, scheduled on Nov 7 and 8. "The lake premises will remain closed as usual to prevent devotees from observing the rituals there. All the gates of both these lakes will be barricaded. There will be police patrolling to keep a watch on all possible entry points," officials said.
Apart from Hooghly river that witnesses the highest turnount on Chhath, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is also sprucing up 22 permanent ghats and developing 18 temporary ones for the festival.As part of the preparations, ponds will be thoroughly cleaned up. Officials said there would be changing rooms, washrooms, bio-toilet facilities, police assistant booths, and adequate illumination at all the ghats. At the temporary ghats, wooden platforms will be set up along with stairs and railings.
The authorities will also put up flex, signage, and notice boards for the convenience of Chhath devotees. Like the previous few years, the authorities will also spread public awareness through audio-voice messages generated from a mobile tableau van at different locations prior to the festival. The authorities will also organise a street drama at relevant places as part of the awareness campaign.