Preparations afoot by Hooghly admin, police for Chhat Puja
The Statesman | 24 October 2025The district administration therefore has its hands full for the occasion, coming up on Monday, 27 October this year. The populations are
mainly concentrated in urban areas, such as Champdany, Serampore and Rishra, where the jute mills and factories are located. It is a mammoth task for the civic bodies and the law enforcers of these urban centres to ensure a safe and secure Chhat puja.
With thousands of devotees thronging the river ghats to carry out rituals that offer obeisance to the Sun God, the district and local administrations, along with the police force, are gearing up and taking all precautionary and facilitatory measures so that the celebrations are trouble free. Priority is being given to orderliness, cleanliness, and the provision of civic amenities. Measures for safety and security that will ensure no untoward incident occurs are being given full attention.
Champdany civic body chairman Suresh Mishra said the preparations are being carried out, keeping in mind that, like last year, over 70,000 devotees will offer Chhat Puja at Indra Maidan, Palta and Pirtala ghats. “All the steps along and on the river ghats have been repaired and cleaned. The ghats will be illuminated with high intensity halogen lights, and drinking water supply and lavatories will be available,” he said.
Medical.camps and ambulances will provide services in case of any kind of emergency. Speed boats will patrol the river in the vicinity of the ghats, keeping a watch on the devotees so that they do not venture into the deeper areas. Civic body volunteers will be assisting the police, while civic volunteers and local club members will keep a check on the flow of the huge number of devotees. CCTV cameras will monitor the river ghats as well.
The devotees will not be allowed to burst high-intensity sound crackers or throw waste material into the river. All these norms are being publicised through regular mobile PA systems, making the announcements in the “dos and don’ts” format. Announcements on high and low tides will also be made, cautioning the devotees.
Serampore civic body head Giridhari Shaw said, “Chhat Puja devotees usually offer prayers at Roy Ghat, 3 Number Ghat and College Ghat. All the river ghats are illuminated, and civic volunteers will regulate the movement of devotees towards the ghats. Drones will be used to keep a strict vigilance over all the ghats.”
