Chaiti Chhath Devotees Endure Unsafe Conditions at Jamshedpur River Ghats
The conclusion of the Chaiti Chhath rituals on Wednesday morning in Jamshedpur was marred by significant safety concerns and administrative lapses, leaving devotees distressed. Over one lakh participants faced hazardous conditions at various river ghats along the Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers, where the local administration had failed to conduct necessary cleaning and preparations.
Broken Glass and Lack of First Aid Pose Direct Threats
Devotees reported walking barefoot on riverbanks littered with broken glass, leading to multiple injuries. Rama Devi, a participant at Dumohini ghat in Sonari, highlighted the absence of first aid facilities. "We were injured while walking on the sand, unable to spot the glass pieces," she said, contrasting this with the winter Chhath when ghats are typically cleaned by authorities and NGOs for safety.
Polluted River Water and Financial Burden on Devotees
The condition of the river water added to the challenges. Mohan Yadav, a banker and devotee, described the water as extremely dirty, forcing many to hire local boys at high costs to clean areas for puja. He noted that summer exacerbates pollution, with untreated drains from the city flowing into the rivers, particularly affecting ghats from Bistupur to Kadma and Mango to Baridih.
Inadequate Facilities and Calls for Political Action
Beyond cleanliness issues, basic amenities were lacking. Suman Srivastava from Sonari pointed out the absence of arrangements for women to change clothes after bathing. Devotees urged local MLAs and MPs to intervene and ensure better facilities in the future, emphasizing the need for proactive measures during Chaiti Chhath.
The incident underscores a broader pattern of neglect during this seasonal festival, raising questions about administrative accountability and the prioritization of public safety for religious events in Jamshedpur.
