Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Thursday, 13 November 2025, inaugurated the 11-kilometre-long Chhath Ghat along the Munak Canal in New Delhi — the longest such facility ever developed in the national capital. The inauguration marks a significant infrastructure push ahead of the four-day Chhath Puja festival, with the ghat billed as a first-of-its-kind development for the city's large Purvanchal community.

Key Developments at the Site

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Delhi cabinet ministers, and several public representatives were present at the inauguration. The event underscores the Delhi government's stated priority of facilitating large-scale arrangements for Chhath Vratis — the devotees who observe the festival's rigorous rituals along water bodies.

The ghat stretches the entire length of the Munak Canal banks, offering devotees an expansive, organised space to perform their prayers during one of the most widely observed festivals in the capital.

From Neglect to Rejuvenation: The Munak Canal Transformation

The Munak Canal, which had long fallen into disrepair, was once marked by accumulated filth, overgrown vegetation, and illegal encroachments on both banks. As part of the ghat project, the Delhi government launched an extensive cleanup and beautification drive. According to officials, approximately 1,400 truckloads of debris, waste, and refuse were cleared from the stretch.

Encroachments were removed from both banks, and Singalpur Road was developed alongside the canal revitalisation. Chief Minister Gupta is said to have personally monitored the project, visiting the site on multiple occasions.

'The Munak Canal had been awaiting rejuvenation for years,' Chief Minister Gupta said, adding that the initiative 'is more than just the construction of steps, roads, and other amenities — it is a tribute to the faith, traditions, and sentiments of the millions of people from the Purvanchal region living in the capital.'

Facilities Provided for Devotees

To ensure convenience and safety for the thousands expected to gather, the government has set up changing rooms, restrooms, tents, and adequate lighting across the ghat. CCTV cameras have been installed for security monitoring, while benches and green spaces have been created for seating and general beautification.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said: 'The Delhi government remains committed to connecting the capital with its cultural roots while fostering development, all while paying full respect to the culture, traditions, and faith of the Purvanchal community.'

Cultural Significance and Broader Impact

Chhath Puja, observed primarily by communities from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, draws enormous participation in New Delhi, home to one of the country's largest Purvanchal diaspora populations. The development of a dedicated, well-equipped ghat of this scale is seen as a direct response to longstanding community demands for cleaner and safer ritual spaces.

The canal revitalisation is also expected to benefit thousands of families residing along the Munak Canal corridor, with improved roads and green spaces extending beyond the festival period. With Chhath Puja underway, attention will now turn to whether the infrastructure holds up to the scale of attendance expected over the coming days.