Rekha Gupta Reviews Development Work from Prembari Bridge to Singalpur, Directs Officials to Complete Preparations on Time (Pankaj Rai)
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inspected ongoing development projects along the Munak Canal near Prembari Bridge in Singalpur on Saturday, reviewing preparations for Chhath Puja and directing officials to complete all essential work before the festival.
The inspection covered the construction and beautification of Chhath ghats, the development of green spaces, landscaping, roads, footpaths, lighting and other civic facilities. The Chief Minister stressed that development projects must deliver visible improvements in quality, cleanliness and public convenience rather than merely appear complete on paper.
She instructed officials to adhere strictly to deadlines and ensure that devotees face no inconvenience while performing religious rituals. She also called for regular monitoring of construction work and immediate corrective action wherever deficiencies are identified.
Gupta said transforming the Munak Canal area into a clean, attractive and properly maintained public space was among the government’s priorities. Thousands of devotees visit Chhath ghats to offer prayers to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, making cleanliness, safety and adequate facilities essential.
She directed officials to prioritise unfinished work and maintain construction standards. Local requirements and the convenience of residents and visitors, she emphasised, must remain central to every development decision.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed plans for plantation and the development of green belts. She instructed officials to prepare a coordinated landscaping plan based on the available space and the area’s overall requirements, rather than treating plantation as a formality.
She also stressed the need for attractive landscaping and better coordination between green spaces, roads, footpaths, bridges and the ghats. A unified approach, she said, would help create a more organised and visually appealing environment.
Gupta reviewed arrangements around the ghats, including wall painting, finishing work, pathway cleaning and the removal of construction debris. She directed officials to ensure adequate lighting and install decorative lights at suitable locations to create a festive atmosphere during Chhath Puja.
She also asked them to check access routes, steps, drainage systems and other basic facilities. The objective, she said, was not just to beautify the ghats but also to ensure that devotees could reach and use them safely and comfortably.
The Chief Minister assessed road and footpath construction, areas surrounding the bridge and arrangements affecting traffic movement. She instructed officials to plan construction according to local needs and available space, while avoiding unnecessary structures.
Pedestrian safety and smooth traffic flow must receive priority, she said, adding that technical issues should be resolved promptly to prevent avoidable delays. Roads, bridges, green spaces and religious facilities should be developed as parts of one coordinated plan.
Gupta also expressed concern over waste accumulation, foul smells and disorderly garbage collection in the Munak Canal area. She directed officials to establish regular waste collection and proper disposal arrangements to prevent inconvenience to nearby residents.
She emphasised that sanitation must be monitored throughout the construction process and maintained beyond the festival period. Cleanliness, she said, should become a permanent feature of the area rather than a temporary measure for Chhath Puja.
Gupta described Chhath Puja as an important part of Delhi’s cultural identity and public faith, reflecting devotion, discipline, cleanliness and community participation. She said the government must ensure that devotees have access to clean, safe and well-maintained places of worship.
Officials have been instructed to complete all essential preparations within the stipulated timeframe. The ongoing projects aim to improve the appearance of the ghats, expand greenery, strengthen sanitation and upgrade civic facilities along the Munak Canal.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on whether the work is completed on schedule and provides devotees with a safer, cleaner and more convenient environment during the festival.
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