Buxar district administration has ordered sanitation, lighting, barricading, emergency preparedness and traffic measures at major Chhath ghats after District Magistrate Sahila and Superintendent of Police Shubham Arya inspected key riverfront sites on Saturday.
The officers visited Ramrekha Ghat, Sipahi Ghat, Mahadeva Ghat and Rani Ghat in Buxar subdivision to review arrangements for devotees preparing to gather along the Ganga. They issued instructions to officials responsible for public amenities, crowd control and law and order during the festival.
The district magistrate directed the executive officers of the Buxar and Chausa municipal councils to ensure proper sanitation and adequate lighting at the ghats and on approach roads. The civic bodies were also asked to maintain cleanliness in areas expected to see increased pedestrian movement during Chhath observances.
Sahila instructed officials to coordinate with circle officers to deploy local divers and install adequate barricading along the Ganga riverbank. The measures are intended to support safer access to the water and restrict movement near potentially hazardous stretches. The administration asked all departments to work in coordination for a safe and peaceful festival.
The inspection places responsibility for the arrangements across municipal, revenue and police authorities. While municipal councils are responsible for sanitation, lighting and approach-road conditions, coordination with circle officers is required for river safety measures, including the availability of divers and barricades.
The superintendent of police directed police officials to deploy adequate personnel at major ghats and other sensitive locations. He asked them to manage crowds, keep traffic moving smoothly and maintain law and order throughout the festival period.
Arya also instructed the police to monitor anti-social elements and remain prepared to respond to emergencies. The directions cover both the riverfront locations where devotees will gather and the surrounding roads, where large crowds and festival-related traffic can affect movement.
The district administration has urged devotees to offer arghya only at designated safe ghats and to follow the safety guidelines issued by the authorities. The appeal is intended to keep worshippers away from unauthorised or unsafe stretches of the riverbank.
The inspection followed a public interaction held by the district magistrate at the Janta Darbar on Friday, where she listened to residents’ grievances. She also appealed to people to observe Chhath with mutual respect and communal harmony. Further arrangements will be handled by the concerned departments and local authorities ahead of the festival.
