Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, 14 November directed state officials to ensure comprehensive safety, cleanliness, and logistical arrangements for devotees attending Chhath Mahaparva across the state, warning that there would be no compromise on public safety or essential facilities at ghats. The directives were issued during a high-level review meeting conducted via video conferencing from Lucknow.

Districts on High Alert

Chief Minister Adityanath specifically called out districts expected to witness the largest congregations of devotees, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ballia, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Basti, and Kanpur Nagar. He instructed district administrations to complete all preparations well before the festival begins, leaving no room for last-minute lapses.

The Chief Minister described Chhath as a festival rooted in faith, discipline, purity and gratitude towards nature, noting that lakhs of devotees would participate with deep devotion and enthusiasm across the state. Devotees are set to offer arghya to the setting Sun on the evening of 15 November, with the four-day festival concluding on 16 November with offerings to the rising Sun.

Ghat Safety and Surveillance Measures

Officials were directed to inspect all major ghats, rivers, ponds, and other water bodies, ensuring proper cleaning, adequate lighting, accessible approach roads, clean drinking water, and dedicated toilet and changing facilities for women. The Chief Minister ordered the installation of strong barricades and warning signboards at vulnerable points after assessing water levels and depths.

'Adequate numbers of trained divers, boats and water police personnel must be deployed to prevent accidents. CCTV cameras and public address systems should also be installed for continuous surveillance and crowd management,' Adityanath said during the meeting.

Special attention, he emphasised, must be given to women, children, and senior citizens. Adequate police personnel — including women officers — are to be deployed at major ghats, with guidance that officers discharge their duties with restraint, sensitivity and a cooperative approach.

Traffic, Transport, and Emergency Services

In a significant relief measure for those travelling home for the festival, Adityanath directed the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to operate additional buses from Delhi to various districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. He categorically instructed officials to ensure that passengers are not charged beyond prescribed fares.

Traffic management plans, necessary diversions, and designated parking areas are to be prepared in advance to prevent congestion near puja sites. District-level control rooms and effective coordination between police and administrative officials have also been mandated.

The Chief Minister further directed the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments to organise special cleanliness drives around ghats and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply with backup lighting arrangements. First-aid camps, ambulances and emergency services must remain available at all major puja sites, he said.

Warning Against Negligence

Adityanath warned senior officials against any negligence, stating: 'There must be no compromise on cleanliness, safety and public convenience during the festival.' Senior officials were instructed to personally inspect arrangements on the ground and seek assistance from Civil Defence, NCC, and NSS volunteers to ensure a smooth and safe celebration.

With the festival hours away, all eyes will be on whether the state machinery can deliver on these directives — particularly at high-footfall ghats in Varanasi and Gorakhpur.