The Delhi Police has taken several measures to guarantee a hassle-free Chhath Puja for those celebrating, including deploying more personnel, establishing special control rooms at two key railway stations in the nation’s capital, and putting up specific helpline numbers.
Senior officials stated that more members of the Railway Protection Force, including women, jawans from the Government Railway Police, scouts, and guides, will assist in directing people to platforms and managing crowds at various train stations.
“A special control room has been set up at Anand Vihar and New Delhi railway stations to manage crowd and avoid untoward incidents. Besides that, helpline numbers have also been made public. No one will be allowed to breach law and order,” a senior police officer said.
At bus stops and train stations, he added, there are also mobile restrooms, doctors, and ambulances available.
The Delhi Police has also made provisions near the banks of the Yamuna River, where a large crowd celebrating Chhath Puja is expected to congregate on Friday.
This entails the use of divers, more forces, appropriate fencing, and barricading.
“There will be a large number of women police personnel deployed for the safety of women,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said.
Chhath ghats have been set up at several places like the ITO bridge, Kalayanwas, Kondli canal, Mayur Vihar Phase-III, Wazirabad ghat, Ashok Nagar-Hindon cut canal, Bhalswa Jhil, Model Town, Jahangirpuri Jheel, Surya Ghat, Kudesiya Ghat, Sonia Vihar, Geeta Colony, Kalindi Kunj, Mangolpuri, Nagarwan Park and Sagarpur to facilitate the puja.
“We are fully prepared to welcome all the devotees. We were already in contact with the organisers to understand what their needs are. According to their needs, we are making arrangements. If need be, we will request additional forces,” a senior central Delhi police officer said.
More than 900 ghats have been readied for the Chhath festival, and devotees will have access to tents, light and sound systems, and other amenities, according to Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj’s statement on Tuesday.
Starting on Friday, the four-day celebration will see believers fast and give ‘arghya’ to the Sun God on the final two days.
Six days following Diwali, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh celebrate Chhath Puja, which is mostly attended by these states’ residents who have emigrated to other parts of the nation and the world.
(With PTI inputs)
