Bokaro and East Singhbhum administrations have imposed traffic restrictions and expanded security, medical and emergency arrangements ahead of Chhath celebrations on November 15 and 16, with heavy vehicles barred on key routes and additional personnel deployed at major ghats.
In Bokaro, heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited from designated routes in the Chas subdivision, Bokaro Township, the railway station area and on national highways passing through the district from 2pm to 8pm on November 15 and from 3am to 9am on November 16. The restrictions were issued jointly by Chas Sub-Divisional Officer Pranjal Dhanda and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Ajay Kumar.
The affected routes include connections between Telmachho, Sector 11, Pupunki toll plaza, Telgaria More, ITI More, Pindrajora checkpost and Jaridih toll plaza towards Jodhadih More, Chas and Ukrid More. Heavy vehicles travelling from Bokaro Steel Plant and Marafari towards Balidih will be stopped near the Marafari railway bridge.
Traffic arrangements for smaller vehicles have also been revised. Vehicles travelling from Station More and Balidih towards Balidih toll plaza, as well as those moving from Telgaria More towards Jodhadih More, will use the right-hand lane. The left-hand lanes on these routes will remain closed during the designated arrangements.
Police station in-charges have been directed to restrict heavy vehicle movement on access roads leading to Chhath ghats during arghya timings. The restrictions are intended to manage the expected movement of devotees and keep access routes clear during the main rituals.
In East Singhbhum, heavy vehicle movement will be restricted from 6am on November 15 until 11am on November 16. Around 50 ghats under the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee, Mango Municipal Corporation and Jugsalai Municipal Council have been prepared for the celebrations.
The administration has installed 80 changing rooms and more than 300 street lights at the ghats. It has also deployed 700 additional police personnel, 67 magistrates and 105 police officers. Drone surveillance, trained divers and a National Disaster Response Force team will be available as part of the emergency arrangements.
Parking facilities have been arranged at 20 major ghats. Medical teams, doctors, healthcare workers and ambulances will be deployed at 14 major ghats from 1pm on November 15 until the completion of the morning arghya on November 16. Additional teams will be stationed at Sakchi, Shastrinagar, Mango, Sonari and near the district surveillance office.
Emergency assistance is available through helplines issued by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital at 0657-2980055, 2222110, 2423215 and 2432138. Sadar Hospital can be contacted at 8986886439. The traffic and security arrangements will remain in force through the scheduled evening and morning arghya periods.
