Delhi: BJP national president Nitin Nabin and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated an 11-km-long Chhath Puja ghat along the Munak Canal in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi.
The Delhi government has revamped a previously dry and neglected stretch of the canal and developed facilities for devotees ahead of Chhath Puja. The project includes changing rooms, toilets, lighting and other amenities. A road-widening project along the canal was also inaugurated.
The initiative aims to provide a convenient and better-equipped space for devotees to celebrate Chhath Puja, one of the major festivals observed by the Purvanchali community and other devotees in Delhi.
Munak Canal Chhath Ghat Developed with Facilities for Devotees
The 11-km Chhath Puja ghat has been developed along the Munak Canal in Shalimar Bagh. The stretch was previously dry and reportedly faced issues such as silt accumulation, garbage and foul smell.
Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma said the canal stretch had remained neglected for years.
He said the Purvanchali community had contributed significantly to the development of Delhi and described the revamp as an effort to provide devotees with better facilities.
According to Verma, the ghat now has proper steps, lighting and a wider road. He added that the location can accommodate more than 30,000 people at a time.
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Water to Be Released Into Munak Canal for Chhath Puja
Delhi Jal Board officials told news agency PTI that water would be released from the Haiderpur Water Treatment Plant into the Munak Canal during Chhath Puja.
The arrangement is intended to ensure clean water and an uninterrupted flow for devotees performing rituals during the festival.
The development of the ghat, along with the planned release of water, is expected to make the canal stretch more suitable for Chhath Puja celebrations.
Nitin Nabin Criticises Previous AAP Government
Addressing the inauguration event, BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging that it had focused on building a “sheeshmahal” instead of providing facilities for devotees.
He said the BJP government was working to develop Chhath ghats across Delhi and claimed that the government had fulfilled its promises within 20 months.
The BJP had used the term “sheeshmahal” during the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections to refer to the Flagstaff bungalow where former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lived from 2015 to 2024, while raising corruption allegations against the AAP.
Nabin also criticised those who, he alleged, had questioned India’s religious traditions and culture.
He said that rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna, along with Chhath-related traditions, held deep religious significance for devotees. He added that these water bodies were not merely rivers or ponds for worshippers, but symbols of faith and devotion.
Rekha Gupta Says Special Arrangements Made for Chhath Celebrations
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she would participate in the Chhath Puja celebrations and that special arrangements had been made to ensure families could observe the festival with devotion, dignity and convenience.
She said the previous government had not paid adequate attention to the area, while the current government was working to improve facilities across the city.
Gupta also highlighted the government’s efforts to ease traffic congestion in Delhi. She said a road was being constructed from Shalimar Bagh to Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) to help reduce traffic pressure.
She added that the Delhi government and its Cabinet were working together on the city’s development and infrastructure improvement.
Road Widening Along Munak Canal to Improve Connectivity
Along with the Chhath ghat, a road-widening project along the Munak Canal was also inaugurated.
The project is expected to improve access to the ghat and support movement in the Shalimar Bagh area. The proposed road connecting Shalimar Bagh with UER-2 is also part of the government’s broader efforts to address traffic congestion in the national capital.
The redevelopment of the Munak Canal stretch is expected to provide better infrastructure for Chhath Puja devotees while improving the surrounding area’s connectivity.
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