Central Akhara Committee Jamshedpur expresses discontent over poor arrangements 

Jamshedpur: With just a day left for Chaiti Chhath Mahaparva and a grand Ram Navami procession scheduled for April 7, the deplorable condition of the city’s major ghats has raised concerns over the negligence of responsible agencies. On Tuesday, a delegation from the Central Ram Navami Akhara Committee conducted an inspection of various ghats and expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of preparation and maintenance. The committee has urged the district administration to take immediate action and expedite the repair and cleaning work on a war footing.

Committee President Ashutosh Singh revealed that a formal request had been submitted to senior officials a month ago, detailing the urgent need for repairs, cleaning, and security arrangements at the ghats. Although the administration had reportedly issued directives to the concerned agencies, no visible work has commenced, leaving the ghats in a highly unsafe and unhygienic state.

During the inspection, the Swarnarekha Ghat was found to be in the worst condition. The construction of a new bridge in the area has encroached upon the immersion site, and leftover construction materials have obstructed the pathways, making access extremely difficult for devotees. Furthermore, the slope leading to the ghat is uneven and unsafe, increasing the risk of accidents.

Other ghats also presented significant hazards:  Sati Ghat and Sub Station Ghat: Three large pits have been dug near the main entrance, posing a serious risk to devotees and obstructing idol immersion.  Kapali Ghat and Pandey Ghat: These ghats remain in a dire state, requiring immediate repairs.  Lighting Tower Site: The presence of heavy iron girders increases the risk of accidents. Low Water Levels: Many ghats are experiencing critically low water levels, making the immersion process difficult.

The committee has also demanded the deployment of cranes at key ghats to assist in idol immersion, ensuring safety and convenience for devotees.

Given the importance of the upcoming Chaiti Chhath and Ram Navami festivals, the Central Ram Navami Akhara Committee has called upon the district administration to begin repair and cleaning operations without further delay. The committee emphasized that thousands of devotees are expected to gather at these ghats for religious rituals, and any lapse in preparation could lead to accidents or disruptions.

The inspection was conducted in the presence of several prominent members, including Ashutosh Singh, Ram Babu Singh, Bhishma Singh, Dharmendra Prasad, Ashok Sinha, Pramod Tiwari, Paramatma Mishra, Shambhu Mukhi, Pradeep Das, Manish Kumar, Vijay Wardha, Kishore Sahu, Santosh Kalindi, and Ravi Bhuniya.

“With time running out, the pressure is now on the district administration to take swift and decisive action to ensure a safe and seamless experience for devotees attending the grand festivals,” said an official.