The Munak Canal Chhath Ghat, described by the Delhi government as the capital’s longest canal-side ghat, will be inaugurated on November 12 after an 11-kilometre stretch was cleared and prepared for devotees. The site is expected to serve residents across five assembly constituencies during this year’s Chhath celebrations.
According to the report, the project has transformed a section of the canal that had remained neglected and was affected by waste, debris and encroachments. Around 1,400 truckloads of debris, garbage and other material were removed during the clean-up drive before the ghat was developed along both sides of the canal.
The inauguration will be conducted by Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin, the report said. The Delhi government has presented the site as the longest canal-side Chhath ghat in the capital and as the first venue of its kind developed along a canal in the country.
The prepared facilities include permanent steps on both banks, cemented roads, changing rooms, toilets, tents and lighting. Benches, greenery and other beautification works are also being added. Closed-circuit television cameras are being installed as part of the security arrangements for devotees.
The government has also said that clean water flow in the canal will be ensured during the festival. Fountains are planned at different points along the stretch. Three bridges are being constructed across the canal to improve movement and connectivity between the two sides, although the bridges and some of the landscaping and development work are targeted for completion over the next two to three months.
The project is expected to benefit residents of Shalimar Bagh, Wazirpur, Model Town, Adarsh Nagar and Badli assembly constituencies. The government said thousands of families, particularly those with links to eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, would have access to a larger and more organised place for Chhath worship.
The immediate arrangements cover the full 11-kilometre stretch for this year’s festival, while the remaining infrastructure work will continue after the inauguration. The next milestones are the opening of the ghat on November 12 and the planned completion of the bridges, greenery and other related works within two to three months.
