Delhi: For 2nd yr, Chhath Puja celebrations in public banned over Covid-19 fears

The authority, however, allowed public celebration of other festivals preceding Chhath puja such as Ramleela, Durga Puja and Dussehra while subjecting organisers to certain protocols and regulations

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday prohibited Chhath Puja celebrations in public places including at grounds, river banks and temples for the second consecutive year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A family in Delhi conducting Chhath Puja on a makeshift pond on their terrace last year. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

Chhath Puja, a three-day festival, will be celebrated between November 8-10 this year. It is most popular in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

“Chhat Puja festival celebrations shall not be allowed in public places, public grounds, river banks, ghats, temples, etc in Delhi and the public is advised to celebrate the same at their homes,” said the DDMA order, a copy of which HT has seen.

The authority, however, allowed public celebration of other festivals preceding Chhath puja such as Ramlila, Durga Puja and Dussehra while subjecting organisers to certain protocols and regulations.

“Chhath celebrations involve community rituals and taking dip in a water body, which is unsafe in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, we decided not to take the risk and encourage people to celebrate at their residences to avoid crowding,” said a senior DDMA official who did not wish to be identified.

In Thursday’s order, the DDMA said that even for festivals that are allowed in public spaces, there can be no processions, rallies, food stalls, fairs, or other stalls both inside and outside the venue. Each organiser has to take permission from the office of the concerned district magistrate and police station. It also said, “No permission shall be granted by district magistrate or other authorities for conducting any event in containment zones.”

Organisers have to ensure that the number of people in a venue do not exceed seating capacity. For open spaces, the maximum seating capacity will be decided for each venue by the concerned sub-divisional magistrate office after assessment of the location.

Every organiser has to appoint a nodal officer responsible for emergency situations and video-recording of events at the venue.

The recordings have to be submitted to the local police station. Organisers also have to ensure 100% mask compliance, facilities such as toilets and hand wash, and availability of hand sanitisers.