Jamshedpur: The Seraikela-Kharsawan district administration has declared Vishwas ghat at Shahrbeda in Chandil a danger zone and barred Chhath Puja celebrations there this year, following the drowning of three members of a family at the Subarnarekha River site during last year’s festival.Police will barricade the approach road from Nov 14 until the morning of Nov 16. A warning board at the site prohibits bathing, washing clothes and other activities. Devotees have been asked to use a safer ghat located about 200 metres away.On Thursday, inspector Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chandil police station in charge Santan Kumar Tiwari, accompanied by Chhath Puja committee members, inspected Vishwas Chhath Ghat and Jayda Chhath Ghat, both under Chandil police station. They assessed water levels, depth, current strength and other safety risks.Officials found that the Subarnarekha’s strong circular current and considerable depth made Vishwas ghat unsafe for rituals.“The riverbed at the prohibited location has a depth of 24 to 25 feet, and water forming a circular current makes it extremely dangerous. Three people lost their lives here last year, and we do not want such an accident to happen again,” Tiwari said.He said the decision was taken after consultations with the DC and SDO. Police personnel will redirect visitors to the alternative ghat, where lighting and other necessary facilities will be arranged.Despite the warning, some residents have begun marking places with stones and erecting temporary bamboo enclosures at Vishwas ghat, citing their longstanding association with the site. Officials have urged residents to cooperate and use safer alternative ghats for all Chhath rituals this year.
