Patna : The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified preparations for Durga Puja 2026, with plans to create artificial ponds and designated immersion areas at several Ganga ghats for the safe immersion of Durga idols after the festival.
The civic body will also deploy 10 additional sanitation workers in every ward from Durga Puja until the conclusion of the Chhath festival. Barricading, lighting and safe access arrangements will be made at designated immersion sites across five municipal zones.
Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena has directed officials to complete the preparations within the stipulated deadlines, with a focus on public safety, cleanliness and crowd management.
Temporary Immersion Ponds Planned At Multiple Ghats
The PMC is preparing temporary immersion ponds at selected locations along the Ganga. Where natural ponds are already available, the civic body will arrange for their cleaning and repair before the festival.
Officials have also been instructed to ensure barricading, adequate lighting and safe movement for devotees at all designated immersion sites.
At Patipul Ghat in the Patliputra zone, the existing natural pond will be cleaned and repaired. The area around it will be secured using sand-filled bags, and the pond will be filled with clean water.
At Minar Ghat, a temporary immersion pond approximately six feet deep will be constructed.
150-Foot Immersion Area At Law College Ghat
In the Bankipur zone, the PMC plans to develop an immersion area measuring approximately 150 feet in length and 50 feet in width near the Ganga at Law College Ghat.
Sand-filled bags and wire mesh will be used to secure the designated area and help regulate the movement of devotees during idol immersion.
In the Patna City zone, three temporary immersion ponds will be constructed at Kangan Ghat, Qila Ghat and Damrahi Ghat. Each pond is expected to be around four to five feet deep.
In the Azimabad zone, arrangements will be made at Bhadra Ghat and Gaighat, where the immersion areas will be enclosed on three sides to improve safety.
Extra Workers To Handle Post-Immersion Cleaning
The civic body will deploy additional workers to remove idol remains and puja materials from the immersion ponds after the ceremonies.
Divers may also be called in if required to assist with the cleaning and removal work.
To manage the additional workload at the ghats, the PMC will deploy 30 extra workers in the Patliputra zone and 140 in the Azimabad zone.
The municipal commissioner has also instructed officials to monitor the Ganga’s water level continuously. Ghats where the water has receded will undergo deep cleaning without delay.
The tendering process for agencies responsible for construction, barricading and other arrangements at immersion sites is also underway.
10 Additional Sanitation Workers In Every Ward
To manage increased waste during the festive season, the PMC has approved the deployment of 10 additional sanitation workers in every ward.
The arrangement will remain in place from Durga Puja until the conclusion of Chhath. The additional staff will focus on regular cleaning around major roads, puja pandals and crowded areas.
Officials have been instructed to ensure timely garbage collection and regularly monitor sanitation work so that public spaces remain clean throughout the festival period.
Chhath Ghats To Get Lighting And Repairs
The PMC has also reviewed preparations for Chhath, including barricading, lighting and other civic facilities at the ghats.
Officials have been directed to complete the tendering process for the required work within the prescribed timeline.
In addition, manholes, slabs and catch pits damaged during the rains will be identified and repaired on a priority basis.
The municipal corporation has instructed all concerned officials to coordinate closely to ensure safe movement, adequate lighting and cleanliness across Patna during Durga Puja and Chhath.
