Safety measures in place to avert mishaps on Chhath

At least five children in two different districts of Bihar drowned on the eve of Chhath puja on Tuesday. To avoid any such accidents, the Nitish government has decided to deploy four boat ambulances in the Ganga.

The river ambulance will be manned by members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Besides, personnel drawn from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and divers would be deployed at various ghats where devotees will pay obeisance to the sun god on Thursday evening and then again on Friday morning.

The river ambulances have been readied with emergency treatment facilities and will be attached to the Patna Medical College and Hospital in case of any exigencies.

"A team of around 100 doctors, 200 paramedical staff and 20 ambulances will be deployed at different ghats in the state capital for emergency," said Patna District Magistrate (DM) Sanjay Agarwal.

The foolproof measures are being taken in view of the fact that at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed in a stampede after a makeshift wooden bridge near Adalat Ghat in Patna collapsed during Chhath in 2012.