Nagpur Municipal Corporation has prepared four lakes with barricades, lighting, public address systems, temporary ghats and emergency services as thousands of devotees are expected to gather for Chhath Puja rituals on Sunday and Monday.
Arrangements have been made at Ambazari, Futala, Gorewada and Police Line Takli lakes, where devotees will offer Sandhya Arghya to the setting sun on Sunday evening and return in large numbers early on Monday for Usha Arghya to the rising sun. The rituals will mark the conclusion of the four-day festival.
The civic administration has focused on managing the increasing turnout at Ambazari lake, which attracts a large number of devotees every year. Barricades are being installed along vulnerable stretches at the water bodies, while electricity connections and special lighting are being arranged across the premises.
Temporary safe ghats will be developed to allow devotees to perform the rituals closer to the water while reducing exposure to unsafe stretches. Welcome desks will also be established to assist visitors and help coordinate movement around the venues.
Public address systems will be used to communicate announcements and safety instructions during the gatherings. The lighting arrangements are particularly intended to support the early-morning rituals, when devotees will assemble for the offering to the rising sun.
NMC has also placed its fire and emergency services department on alert. The health department will deploy ambulances at the venues to respond to medical emergencies, while funds have been earmarked for managing the festival arrangements.
The festival began with Nahay Khay on Friday, when devotees observed ritual bathing and consumed a traditional satvik meal. On Saturday, devotees are scheduled to observe Lohanda and Kharna before undertaking a rigorous 36-hour fast without water.
Corporator Pramod Thakur said he and corporator Abhijeet Jha were coordinating with NMC officials to ensure that devotees did not face difficulties during the main rituals on Sunday and Monday. The civic arrangements will remain focused on crowd safety, access to the water bodies and emergency response through the conclusion of the festival.
