An artisan works on a clay idol of Goddess Durga in New Delhi. (Press Trust of India)
With just a few days left for the Durga Puja celebrations to begin, Delhi government is geared up to put in place all arrangements for idol immersion in Yamuna in order to check pollution of the river water.
"Every year special arrangements are made so as to ensure the safety and security of the devotees as well as protect the water quality of the River Yamuna during and after the immersions.
Environment Secretary Sanjiv Kumar recently held a meeting with all the concerned departments and agencies including Revenue Department, Delhi Police, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Civic Bodies, Delhi Pollution Control Commitee (DPCC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Health Department, Fire Department and Traffic Police to ensure proper arrangements are put in place during the immersions.
He asked the representatives of Divisional Commissioner to indentify and finalise the locations and the number of ghats.
These ghats will be finalised by respective Deputy Commissioners and Police Department after site inspections.
As part of arrangements, designated enclosures will be made at ghats with the help of bamboo barricading and roads heading to the ghats will be constructed.
Civic amenities will provide ambulance and first aid services and tight security will be put in place for the devotees.
"Necessary instructions in this regard will be given by Revenue Department to Irrigation and Flood Control Department," said a Delhi government official.
Government will soon issue a public appeal to this effect highlighting the Dos and Don'ts for the devotees which will be published in national dailies by the Revenue Department before Durga Puja.