Following the National Green Tribunal's directive, KMDA is taking steps to keep Rabindra Sarovar pollution-free during Chhath Puja. From today, Sunday, 10 AM to Tuesday, 7 PM, the lake will remain completely closed. This decision has been announced through hoardings at the lake gates. Environmentalists are pleased with this administrative decision. However, they have demanded not just gate closure but also adequate police deployment outside the lake during the puja period. Otherwise, environmentalists fear people will enter and firecrackers will be burst. KMDA officials have assured that, along with gate closure, adequate police will be deployed outside all gates of the lake complex from today, 10 AM until Tuesday night.
For Chhath, the administration has arranged puja facilities at several ghats along the Ganges from Barabazar to Bagbazar. Lighting arrangements will be available for devotees there. Speed boats and divers will be present to prevent accidents. Special arrangements have been made for devotees at Jodhpur Park, Dhakuria, RR Colony near Ruby Crossing, and Indu Park in Kasba. KMDA and municipalities have identified several water bodies at Nonadanga, Patuli, and adjacent to EM Bypass for Chhath Puja.
On Chhath Puja day, i.e., Tuesday from 6 AM to 8 AM, the Pollution Control Board has permitted only green firecrackers for these two hours. Bursting firecrackers outside this time is prohibited. The Pollution Control Board and Kolkata Police have started campaigns to ensure everyone follows this directive. A Pollution Control Board official says, “Police have been asked to ensure firecrackers are not burst outside the specified time”.
