Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday directed officials to complete basic preparations for Chhath Puja at all ghats by November 6 and personally inspect the sites to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees. 

More than 1,400 ghats are expected to be set up across Delhi this year, compared with 1,326 last year, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. Ms. Gupta also announced that November 16 would be a public holiday. 

At a review meeting with officials of the departments concerned, the district administration and other agencies, Ms. Gupta said only tasks such as filling the ghats with water, installing tents and carrying out final cleaning should remain after the deadline. 

She asked officials to ensure that all major arrangements are in place at least two days before the festival and not rely solely on progress reports. 

Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, MLAs Abhay Verma, Chandan Kumar Choudhary and Sandeep Sehrawat, and representatives of Chhath Puja committees attended the meeting. 

In view of the possibility of cold weather in November, Ms. Gupta directed officials to make adequate arrangements for covered tents at large and medium-sized ghats wherever required.