No to loud music during Chhath, Shankar Ghosh and SMC officials visit ghats to inspect preparations

Minister Shankar Ghosh visits a ghat on the Mahananda in Siliguri to inspect Chhath Puja preparations on Saturday

The administration in Siliguri has decided to prohibit the use of high-volume sound systems during Chhath Puja on Sunday to curb noise pollution.

Thousands of devotees are expected to gather at various ghats along the Mahananda river and other waterbodies across the city to offer prayers. The rituals will begin on Sunday evening and conclude with the morning offerings on Monday.

An official said 87 temporary Chhath ghats have been set up along riverbanks and other water bodies in and around the city.

Shankar Ghosh, the Siliguri MLA and state tourism minister, and Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials visited some of the ghats on Saturday to review

the arrangements.

During the visit, he announced that speakers and sound systems would not be permitted, in keeping with the chief minister's instructions.

"Following the chief minister's instructions, DJs were prohibited during Durga Puja and Kali Puja. We have now decided to extend the same restriction to Chhath Puja as well,"

Ghosh said.

The announcement comes amid criticism from different NGOs and concerned citizens over the administration's alleged failure to prevent the use of banned firecrackers

during Diwali.

Environmental groups have expressed concern over the noise and air pollution, which they say contributed to deterioration in the city's air quality.

The minister, however, maintained that official data indicated a comparatively lower rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) this year than in previous years.

Ghosh also instructed SMC officials to prepare a detailed report documenting the arrangements and measures undertaken for this year's festivities.

"This exercise would help to identify the gaps in festival management and ensure better planning for the coming years," said the minister.

The decision to prohibit DJ music has been welcomed by environmental organisations. However, they have urged the administration to go beyond the sound-system restrictions and take effective steps to prevent the use of banned firecrackers and protect rivers and other waterbodies during the festival.

"We appreciate the administration's initiative to ban DJs. We would also appeal to the minister to take a proactive role in maintaining the cleanliness of rivers and waterbodies and preventing air and noise pollution caused by banned firecrackers during the festival," said Animesh Bose, vice-president of Sabuj Mancha, a joint forum

of 64 NGOs.