KMDA identifies new waterbodies for Chhath Puja

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a ban on Chhath Puja celebrations at Rabindra Sarovar due to pollution issues, for which the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has identified 10 new waterbodies. Most of these waterbodies are at close proximity to Rabindra Sarovar Lake and devotees will be able to carry out Chhath Puja rituals here. These ten waterbodies are in addition to the two already marked by KMDA - one near Nonadanga and another at Baishnabghata Patuli Jheel. KMDA is currently working at full pace to complete the infrastructure development of these ghats before Chhath Puja, which is scheduled on November 2nd. The 10 new ghats that are identified are - Kutty Pukur waterbody, Madartala Pukur, Ramdhan Park pond, waterbody inside Govindan Kutty park in Golf Garden area, Jodhpur Park Lake, three ponds near Lalka area, waterbody inside Nature Park at Taratala and a pond at Kasba Bypass connector. A KMDA official said, "Most of these waterbodies are in good condition with fencing and a few of them need to be cleaned". KMDA is spending almost Rs 50 Lakhs for developing the infrastructure of these ten waterbodies including drinking water facilities, bio-toilets, assistance centres, arrangement for changing of clothes particularly for women after observing rituals. This list of ten waterbodies was finalised during a meeting headed by state Urban Development minister and KMDA chairman Firhad Hakim.