New Delhi [India], November 15 (ANI): The Delhi Police has put in place elaborate, multi-layered security and traffic arrangements across Yamuna ghats in the national capital to ensure smooth and peaceful Chhath Puja celebrations for over one lakh devotees.
Special focus has been laid on North Delhi's Shyam Ghat, one of the capital's largest riverfront sites spanning over two and a half kilometres, where thousands gather to offer prayers during the evening (Sandhya Arghya) and morning (Usha Arghya) rituals.
Reviewing the on-ground preparedness at Shyam Ghat, Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma said extensive water safety and aerial surveillance measures have been operationalised across the riverbank.
"We are present at Shyam Ghat in North District. This is one of the biggest ghats for Chhath Puja in Delhi. This is more than a two-and-a-half-kilometre-long stretch, properly barricaded with bamboo fencing. We have deployed our divers and motorboats along with sufficient life jackets. Delhi Police has also made arrangements of drone cameras for monitoring the situation," Verma told ANI.
He added that security personnel have been divided into two shifts to maintain continuous vigilance through the night until the festival concludes.
"Adequate traffic force has also been deployed to ensure smooth movement of people who are coming for the Chhath Puja, and sufficient force, including paramilitary—around two companies of paramilitary forces—has been deployed. This arrangement is in two shifts: the first shift will culminate around 10 p.m. and the second shift will start in the night and continue after the completion of the Chhath Puja, after sunrise," Verma said.
Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt said the police administration is anticipating a heavy footfall during the peak hours of rituals.
"The devotees have started coming to the Yamuna bank at Shyam Ghat. We are expecting, at peak hours, the gathering will be of 1 to 1.25 lakhs. There is local police deployment, and along with that, we have outside force and traffic police also. Traffic police and local police will be together regulating traffic so that the devotees can come to the ghats and offer their prayers and the festival can be concluded in a peaceful manner," Bhatt said.
Outlining the logistical and electronic surveillance grid, Additional DCP (North) Pukhraj K Gupta stated that Shyam Ghat and Ram Ghat have been brought under round-the-clock online CCTV monitoring.
"North District and the Delhi Police have made elaborate security arrangements, in which local staff of around 50-60 personnel will be deployed in two shifts. Apart from that, an outer force of three companies, along with civil defence volunteers and home guards, will be deployed at every ghat. Apart from the that, this area, the whole ghats of Shyam Ghat and Ram Ghat, are being covered under CCTV surveillance, which will be monitored centrally online," Gupta said.
Gupta added that dedicated police help desks have been set up at multiple entry points along the riverbank to provide immediate assistance and resolve grievances for worshippers.
He added, "We have also made elaborate arrangements with traffic police so that people who are coming to various ghats do not face any problem. Also we have made some police help desk where people can come and if they have any issue that will be resolved then and there. And this ghat is going to attract approximately 1 lakh floating population, which will be coming at various times in the evening and in the morning."
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro train services will commence operations early at 4:30 am on Monday, November 16 to facilitate the movement of devotees for the auspicious dawn offering (Usha Arghya) on the final day of Chhath Puja.
The services will start an hour and a half earlier than the regular schedule, with trains operating at 15-minute intervals across all lines during the early morning hours to manage the festive rush.
Sharing the update on social media platform X, BJP leader Pankaj Kumar Singh described the move as a "major gift" for devotees and the Purvanchal community across the national capital.
"A major gift from the Delhi government for all Chhath devotees and worshippers in Purvanchal. To make things easier for devotees on the occasion of the dawn offering during Chhath Puja, Delhi Metro will begin services at 4:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16. Starting an hour and a half earlier than usual, the metro will run at 15-minute intervals on all lines during the early hours," Singh said in his post.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has also shared the update on its official handle on X, stating, "Delhi Metro to start services early on Chhath Puja. To facilitate the movement of devotees for Celebrating Usha Arghya of Chhath Puja- 2026 on Monday, 16th November 2026, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will commence metro services from 4:30 AM instead of usual 06:00 AM from all terminal stations across the DMRC network. Metro services will operate at a 15-minute frequency on all lines until the commencement of regular revenue services, as per the scheduled timetable for the day." (ANI)
Delhi Police steps up vigil along Yamuna ghats for Chhath Puja; over 1 lakh devotees expected
