BMC plans single-window permissions and extra facilities for Chhath Puja in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will make special arrangements so that Chhath Puja is celebrated in Mumbai city and the suburbs with enthusiasm and without hindrance this year as well. A meeting was called at the municipal commissioner's office on Thursday so that devotees get the necessary facilities during the puja.

Representatives of more than 20 Chhath Puja committees attended and put forward several suggestions and demands. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide assured them that the necessary facilities would be provided as per these demands.

Large numbers of devotees gather for Chhath Puja at places such as Madh-Marve, Juhu Chowpatty, Girgaum Chowpatty, Dadar Chowpatty and Banganga. About five lakh devotees come to Juhu Chowpatty alone, and the meeting heard a demand for full facilities there. Committee representatives stressed public toilets, separate changing rooms, drinking water and other basic arrangements.

The representatives also demanded that artificial ponds be created at different places in Mumbai as required. They asked that all the chowpattys be cleaned a few days before Chhath Puja and that a stage be built at Girgaum Chowpatty for the worship. They also hope the municipal corporation will provide puja materials and other facilities.

To make it easier to obtain permission for holding the puja, instructions will be issued to implement a "single-window scheme" at all the corporation's departmental offices concerned. The corporation said a nodal officer would also be appointed at each location for coordination.

The corporation has promised to build more artificial ponds if needed. It also assured fire brigade arrangements, drinking water, CCTV, electric lighting, mobile toilets and changing rooms.

Commissioner Bhide said the BMC would make arrangements for Chhath Puja just as it provides the necessary facilities during other festivals. She assured that special care would be taken to ensure devotees face no inconvenience of any kind.

BJP Mumbai vice-president Acharya Pawan Tripathi, corporator Bala Tawde, municipal officials and committee representatives were present at the meeting.

Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has demanded that the BMC provide facilities such as artificial ponds, cleanliness, drinking water and toilets at Chhath Puja sites. He said Chhath Puja is an important festival of faith and cultural tradition. According to Lodha, the permission process should be simplified through the single-window scheme to spare devotees trouble. He also said that, keeping up Mumbai's inclusive culture, the Chhath Puja festival would certainly be completed safely and with enthusiasm.