“During Chhath Puja celebrations, an incident near Katihar’s Rampur Gwaltoli Chhath Ghat caused panic among the devotees,” a local official said. “The trouble began when firecrackers set off by the crowd ignited a nearby fuel source, leading to a fire. Fortunately, thanks to the quick action of locals and the fire brigade, the flames were contained before they could spread.”
A senior official confirmed, “We narrowly avoided a major accident. With local residents’ help and the fire brigade’s prompt response, the situation was brought under control swiftly. However, we are still awaiting further details to fully understand how it happened.”
Meanwhile, the Bihar government has put extensive arrangements in place across the state to ensure a safe celebration. Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh shared, “All major ghats, like Banshi Ghat, Krishna Ghat, Kali Ghat, Kadam Ghat, and Patna College Ghat, have been prepared with security, medical, and emergency facilities for the devotees. We have also issued specific advisories for visitors, which they must follow for their safety.”
“Our teams are ready to handle the large crowd expected during Chhath Puja,” Singh added. “Extra security forces have been deployed to manage the crowds and avoid any unexpected incidents. Additionally, we have stationed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at key ghats in Patna.”
Another district official emphasized the priority on public safety: “With the influx of people, we wanted to make sure there’s adequate security and support in case of emergencies. Personnel from SDRF and NDRF are on standby, ensuring that devotees can perform rituals peacefully and without any disruptions.”
The arrangements demonstrate Bihar’s commitment to both cultural celebrations and public safety, particularly during major festivals like Chhath Puja.
