Delhi Govt Inaugurates 11-km Chhath Ghat at Munak Canal

Delhi officials inaugurated an 11-km-long Chhath ghat along the Munak Canal on Thursday to accommodate thousands of devotees for the upcoming festival.

The facility, described by the Delhi government as the longest Chhath ghat in the country, serves as a central hub for the Purvanchal community to perform traditional rituals. This development forms part of a larger ₹115.29-crore project aimed at reviving and beautifying a stretch of the Munak Canal that had long suffered from neglect, Hindustan Times reported.

The project addresses a cultural and logistical need for residents from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who represent a major demographic in the capital. By providing dedicated spaces with steps, lighting, and public amenities, the government aims to move beyond makeshift arrangements to a more dignified celebration of the festival.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji, Delhi Government has developed an 11-km-long Chhath Ghat at Munak Nahar, marking a significant step towards honouring the faith and traditions of the Purvanchali community. Today at 1 PM, Hon’ble BJP National President… pic.twitter.com/z1qlbSUx5O

— Post by @CMODelhi on X

“This is not a favour being extended to them, but a right they should have received long ago,” said Parvesh Verma, the Irrigation and Flood Control minister.

Redeveloping the Canal Stretch for Public Use

The redevelopment covers a 5.5 km stretch of the canal, spanning from the Outer Ring Road to the junction with the Najafgarh drain near the Inderlok Metro station. While much of the work focuses on the Chhath festivities, the broader plan includes constructing service roads on both banks, multiple bridges, and landscaping to transform the area into a public recreational space.

From a neglected canal to a magnificent 11-km Chhath Ghat in less than a year! Munak Canal’s stunning transformation celebrates Purvanchal’s deep-rooted faith and the grandeur of Chhath Mahaparv. Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi#ViksitDelhi pic.twitter.com/C5PiOvXvCx

— Post by @CMODelhi on X

According to officials, the canal had previously remained dry after raw water was diverted to the Haiderpur water treatment plant, leading to silt accumulation and deteriorating embankments. The new infrastructure is designed to support up to 33,000 people at a time, offering walking paths and parks that will remain available after the religious season ends.

Current progress on the various components of the canal project includes:

Chhath Puja 2026: Delhi Gets 11-Km Grand Chhath Ghat — NEWS9 Live

Project Component	Status / Detail
Shalimar Bagh stretch (3 km)	Completed
Singalpur bridge project	88% complete
Right bank inspection road	62% complete
Wazirpur stretch (2.5 km)	Under construction

Beyond the canal, the government is coordinating extensive travel logistics. The Delhi and Bihar governments have deployed 77 buses from Anand Vihar ISBT to provide subsidized transport for those returning to Bihar. As reported by DD News, these services connect five major divisions, including Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya, with fares reduced by as much as ₹1,028 depending on the route.

Authorities Manage Sanitation and Traffic for the Festival

As the four-day festival begins on November 13, municipal authorities are intensifying inspections to manage the scale of the celebrations. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is overseeing more than 1,400 ghats across the city, focusing on sanitation and the removal of floating waste from the Yamuna river, ET Infra reported.

Delhi cm chhath ghat delhi — Photo: The Hindu

To manage the expected crowds, the Delhi Traffic Police have issued an advisory outlining restrictions and diversions in the East, North-East, and Shahdara districts. Commuters are being urged to avoid Pusta Road from Shastri Park to Khajuri Chowk and the stretch between Shanti Van and Shamshan Ghat to ensure emergency access and smooth movement, according to NDTV.

Political leaders have framed the project as a fulfillment of long-standing community demands. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that previous administrations had failed to take concrete steps toward improving these facilities, whereas the current administration has prioritized the canal’s rehabilitation. The Hindu reported that the BJP’s focus on cleaning the Yamuna was a central theme during the 2025 Delhi Assembly election campaign.

11 KM of Chhath Ghat dedicated to Delhi’s Purvanchali families. Yes, that’s Badalti Dilli! Once neglected, Munak Canal has undergone a stunning transformation into a magnificent 11-km-long Chhath Ghat, giving our Purvanchali brothers and sisters a grand new space to celebrate… pic.twitter.com/mxJf1IB3ON

— Post by @gupta_rekha on X

“Chhath celebrations in Delhi will be grander and more divine this year than last year,” said Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister.

While the infrastructure provides a significant boost to religious observance, the scale of the undertaking presents ongoing challenges for urban management. The necessity for heavy traffic diversions and the intensive cleaning required for over 1,400 sites shows the massive logistical coordination required to host the festival in a metropolitan environment.

The Delhi government has officially declared Monday, November 16, 2026, a public holiday for all government offices and public sector undertakings to mark the occasion of Surya Shashthi, DD News reported.