No crowding at beaches for Chhath, says BMC

No Chhath rituals will be permitted at the city’s beaches, the BMC has said. Representation pic

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued guidelines for Chhath Puja, which will be held on November 10. The civic body has asked citizens to not gather in large numbers at beach fronts and to avoid carrying out any kind of rituals at the beach.

However, the civic body will give permissions to private organisers, who will have to ensure that social distancing norms are followed and they have been allowed to set up artificial lakes. However, these lakes will have to be shut by those who set them up, stated the circular. It further stated that the police should ensure that large congregations don't happen because it might lead to a third wave of the pandemic. The festival, which is mainly celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand and some eastern states of the country, is also quite popular in the city considering the large number of North Indians residing here. BJP leaders have tried taking credit over these permissions granted to the organisers.