Approach Roads to Bishahari Places Become a Cause of Trouble Ahead of Worship; Devotees Struggle with Mud and Waterlogging
Bhagalpur (Correspondent): A season of faith and major folk festivals is set to begin across the city, yet it is exposing the hollow nature of all those claims made by the municipal corporation, which routinely promises to streamline city cleanliness and basic arrangements prior to festivals. In view of the upcoming Bishahari Puja (Maa Bishahari Puja / Mansa Puja), the condition of famous Bishahari places and their connected approach roads situated in various parts of the city remains pathetic. Instead of finding a clear route, devotees arriving to pay their respects at the Goddess's court on this sacred occasion are forced to navigate through mud, waterlogging, and scattered garbage. This apathy from the municipal administration has sparked intense anger among local residents and puja committees.
Claim Versus Reality: Corporation's Cleanliness Drive Restricted to Paper Promises
The municipal corporation and concerned administrative officials had made grand claims about launching special cleanliness drives around all major temples and places of worship in the city, but the picture on the ground is completely the opposite:
Mud and Water Spreading Across Roads: Due to a complete collapse of drainage systems along the main connecting routes leading to Bishahari places, dirty water from drains is spilling over onto the roads. The rainy season has compounded this situation, rendering the paths entirely muddy.
Absence of Street Lights: Street lights installed along approach roads leading to several prominent Bishahari temples have been malfunctioning for months. Darkness descends on these paths as evening sets in, making it hazardous for women and senior citizens to reach the temples at night.
Escalating Hardships for Devotees and Puja Committees
While an atmosphere of enthusiasm prevails across urban and rural pockets of Bhagalpur and its vicinity regarding Bishahari Puja, dilapidated routes have complicated the journey for worshippers:
The Pain of Puja Committees: Office-bearers of various puja committees stated that they had repeatedly submitted written and verbal applications to municipal corporation officials and concerned ward councilors for the repair and cleaning of approach roads, but received nothing more than assurances every time. Committees noted that if paths are not fixed in time, controlling and safely routing the massive crowds arriving during the puja will turn into a major challenge.
The Ordeal of Barefoot Worshippers: A large number of devotees arrive at the temple barefoot to fulfill vows or as part of traditional rituals during Bishahari Puja. Under these conditions, gravel, broken roads, and mud scattered across paths cause severe physical distress.
Looming Threat of Infection and Health Hazards
Dirty water pooling on roads and the piles of garbage surrounding them are not only disrupting movement but are also spawning a serious health crisis:
Menace of Mosquitoes: Waterlogging has triggered heavy breeding of mosquitoes, multiplying the risk of spreading contagious diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya.
Intense Foul Stench: The wastewater flowing across paths and rotting garbage are making life miserable for nearby shopkeepers and residents. Amidst the swelling crowds during the puja, such unhygienic conditions could invite a major outbreak.
Public Warnings and Demands for Administrative Action
Local citizens, shopkeepers, and devotees have begun raising their voices against this mismanagement:
Demand for Immediate Repairs: Intellectual citizens have urged the municipal corporation to execute special cleanliness drives on a war footing prior to the start of the puja to remove sludge from these approach roads, spray bleaching powder, and immediately fix non-functional lights.
Warning of Protests: People have warned that if the municipal corporation fails to effect ground-level improvements within the next couple of days, they will be compelled to stage protests during the puja.
This wretched state of approach roads to Bishahari places right before an important folk festival like Bishahari Puja exposes the lax functioning and poor monitoring of the municipal corporation. This chasm between administrative claims and reality not only raises question marks on the quality of development works but also mocks public faith. It remains crucial to see when the municipal corporation takes cognizance of this grave situation to make these routes walkable so devotees can pay obeisance at the Goddess's court without any obstruction.
