Bengal government builds 1,500 artificial ponds for Chhath Puja

By Team Newsable | First Published Nov 20, 2020, 10:43 AM IST

The West Bengal government has set up around 1,500 artificial water bodies in and around Kolkata for devotees to perform Chhath Puja on Friday (November 20).

The Kolkata police have set up barricades outside Rabindra Sarobar lake and Subhas Sarobar lake where devotees have been banned from performing the Chhath puja.

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Police pickets have also been set up in various places to prevent any procession of devotees.

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A police officer said, “Only two persons per family would be allowed to enter a water body to perform the puja.”

Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the Chhath devotees to perform rituals at home or in their respective neighbourhoods, using artificial water tanks created by the government over the past few days.

Mamata Banerjee said, “We have created artificial water bodies for your convenience. In case you need to visit a river bank, please follow health protocols related to COVID-19 pandemic and travel in small groups. Follow court orders and do not form processions.”

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The Supreme Court had on Thursday ruled that Chhath puja will not be allowed at the Rabindra Sarobar Lake in south Kolkata, which is protected under the national lake conservation plan and is considered lungs of the densely populated city because of its greenery.

A division bench of the Calcutta high court also banned Chhath puja at Subhas Sarobar, a water body of equal importance, located in the north-eastern parts of the city.

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