Delhi is preparing for a grand Chhath Puja celebration, with an 11-km-long ghat along the Munak canal set to be inaugurated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin on November 12, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, according to PTI.

More than 1,400 ghats are being prepared across the city for the four-day festival, which will be celebrated from November 13 to 16. Delhi had 1,326 ghats for the festival last year.

The ghat along the Munak canal, said to be Delhi’s longest, stretches from the Outer Ring Road to Inderlok. It will have steps on both sides and a concrete road to provide convenient access to devotees, according to a statement from the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office.

Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting ahead of the festival and directed officials to prioritise devotees’ convenience, safety and cleanliness, PTI reported, citing the statement.

Changing rooms for women, CCTV cameras at major ghats, adequate lighting, tents and round-the-clock cleaning arrangements are being put in place for the festival.

The chief minister directed officials to complete basic preparations at the ghats in advance so that only tasks such as filling them with water, putting up tents and cleaning remain towards the end.

In view of the winter cold, Gupta also directed officials to arrange adequately covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats wherever required.

Delhi will, therefore, have more Chhath Puja ghats than last year, with arrangements focused on access, safety, cleanliness and protection from the cold during the November 13-16 festival.

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