Jalandhar civic body fails to clean canal for Chhath Puja

Despite Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat’s instructions to civic bodies to ensure cleanliness around the Bist Doab Canal for Chhath Puja, devotees — mainly migrants from Bihari — were forced to stand in filth while offering prayers. The rituals, which require devotees to stand in knee-deep water with sugarcane and other offerings to the Sun God, were disrupted due to the canal's poor condition.

While Bhagat, who is also the Jalandhar West MLA, had visited the Basti Bawa Khel area on Wednesday to inspect preparations, the canal remained unclean and lacked adequate water flow. Accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Gautam Jain, Bhagat had directed officials to ensure proper arrangements for the sacred observance. However, the cleanliness work was not carried out, leaving the devotees

with frustration.

In contrast, those who prayed at Devi Talab Mandir’s holy pond did not face similar issues. Although there was some overcrowding in the temple premises, the site was otherwise well-maintained. The failure to prepare the canal site properly for Chhath Puja has raised concerns among the community, especially given the large number of migrants residing in the Jalandhar West constituency.