Dhanbad district administration has banned the sale of firecrackers around Chhath ghats and ordered a coordinated emergency plan ahead of thousands of devotees expected to gather on Sunday, including separate entry and exit routes, alternative emergency passages, medical teams and trained divers.
The administration has directed officials to ensure cleanliness at all Chhath ghats and operate a district-level control room to respond to emergencies during the gatherings. Officials have also been asked to identify dangerous ghats and install barricades and warning signage at locations where devotees may face higher risks.
The safety arrangements bring together the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation, Chirkunda Municipal Council, the district tourism and fisheries departments and block-level officials. These agencies have been asked to coordinate with local Chhath committees to implement the prescribed measures at the ghats.
Trained divers and Matsya Mitras will be stationed at major ghats and rivers to respond to possible drowning incidents. The civil surgeon has been directed to ensure the availability of ambulances and medical teams at the sites, adding medical response capacity to the crowd-management plan.
The administration has also instructed officials to keep an alternative passage available for emergency movement while designating separate routes for devotees entering and leaving the ghats. The arrangements are intended to reduce crowd conflicts and ensure that emergency vehicles and responders can reach the riverfront locations if required.
Dhanbad deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan said the safety of devotees was the administration’s top priority and instructed officials and Chhath committees to strictly implement the arrangements. The measures will remain focused on the ghats and rivers where devotees are expected to gather for prayers on Sunday.
