KANPUR, July 22, 2013: Preparations are in full swing to welcome 'Shrawan'. From security arrangements to mela preparations, the district administration is working hard to ensure smooth 'darshan' of Lord Shiva for locals at Parmat temple. However, it has forgotten security at Ganga ghats, a prominent location of rituals during Shrawan. No barricading has been put up at any ghat to avoid mishaps. People would take a holy dip in Ganga on Monday on the occasion of Guru Poornima. The practice of taking a dip in Ganga would continue throughout the month of Shrawan. 

Apart from bathing, people would also perform Rudrabhishek at temples near ghats. Even community lunches 'bhandaras' would be organized in large numbers near Ganga ghats. Ironically, no security arrangements have been made at any of the ghats. Lack of security and arrangement at ghats could cause mishap at ghats of already swollen Ganga during heavy influx of devotees. 

Irked over lethargic approach of the administration many locals said that the authorities concerned were ignoring religious sentiments of the people. "The administration always blames people for accidents but shies away when it comes to fulfill responsibility," said Sailesh Agarwal, a local of Birhana Road. Heaps of garbage littered on the banks are a testimony to the sheer indifference of district authorities. Among several ghats five are popular among residents for a holy dip. These ghats include Siddhanath Ghat at Jajmau, Massacre and Guptar Ghat at Cantonment, Rani Ghat at Tilak Nagar and Sarsaiyya Ghat at Civil Lines. 

"The preparations are not satisfactory at Massacre Ghat. Stairs are full with garbage. No barricading has been constructed to save people from drowning," said Manish Agarwal, a regular visitor to Lalita Devi Temple on the ghat. Boat-sellers and divers have been deployed at Sarsaiyya Ghat while the rest are still awaiting such arrangements. When contacted, city health officer Kanpur Nagar Nigam Dr LK the officials did not respond to the calls. ADM city Avinash Sigh said that officials and divers would be deployed at ghats during the bathing hours. The official also claimed that barricading would be put up at ghats before the start of bath.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 22, 2013.