104 locations identified for Chhath Puja across Punjab: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today ordered the civil and police administration to make comprehensive and foolproof arrangements at all 104 identified locations across the state for the upcoming holy festival of Chhath Puja. He emphasized that the safety and convenience of every devotee will be the government's top priority.

Presiding over a high-level meeting with senior officers, the Chief Minister directed all departments to complete preparations in time and ensure that devotees celebrate the festival with full religious fervor, enthusiasm and peace.

During this, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “Chhath Puja is an important occasion of immense devotion, faith and cultural significance. Our government is committed to ensuring that devotees can celebrate this holy festival with full religious fervor, enthusiasm and peace. The safety and convenience of every devotee is our topmost priority and we will ensure that no one faces any difficulty.”

The Chief Minister stated, “104 locations have been identified across Punjab where Chhath Puja will be celebrated. All necessary arrangements must be completed in time, and no stone should be left unturned in providing a convenient environment to the devotees, especially women and elderly who perform these rituals with immense faith and devotion.”

Directing the administration to ensure proper arrangements at all approved locations, the Chief Minister said, “Wherever required, fresh water should be added to the designated water bodies. Suitable ghats should be built and developed in major cities so that devotees can perform their religious rituals safely and smoothly. Special cleanliness drives should be conducted at all identified locations, where proper lighting and other arrangements should be in place.”

He further said, “Duties of officers and other staff should be assigned in time, in which responsibilities and accountability are clearly fixed. Every department must work in mutual coordination to execute the festival smoothly and without any hassle.”

Expressing serious concern over the safety of devotees performing rituals near water bodies, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “Wherever devotees gather near water bodies, adequate numbers of lifeguards should be deployed as a rescue solution. Appropriate barricading, rope arrangements, public address systems and adequate police force should also be ensured to keep the crowd under control and prevent any untoward incident.”

The Chief Minister also directed the officers to seek help from special teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) as needed to strengthen emergency preparedness.

He emphasized, “Arrangements for emergency services must be foolproof and special teams of NDRF and SDRF should be involved wherever needed to ensure immediate action in case of any untoward incident. We will not compromise on the safety of devotees at any cost.”

Directing senior officers to personally monitor the arrangements, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “All officers should remain vigilant and maintain close coordination with every concerned department. It is our duty to respect the religious sentiments of every community and ensure that every festival in Punjab is celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotion and fanfare in an atmosphere of mutual harmony, brotherhood and bonhomie.”

Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Principal Secretary to CM Dr. Ravi Bhagat, Special DGP P.K. Sinha and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

Key developments

• 104 locations identified for Chhath Puja across Punjab.
• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired a high-level meeting.
• Instructions issued for foolproof security and convenience arrangements.
• NDRF and SDRF teams to be deployed if required.