Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to make Chhath devotees acquainted about the importance of various ghats during Chhath Puja this year.

The PMC will distribute catalogues among devotees with brief descriptions of the ghats, spelling out their historical significance. Wall paintings will also be done at the ghats and the approach roads.

“The initiative is being taken to make people realise the importance of the river so that they start respecting it and take steps to keep its sanctity,” said PMC deputy municipal commissioner Vishal Anand.

“The catalogue to be distributed will have details about Mahendru Ghat. It is believed that emperor Asoka had sent his son to Sri Lanka from this ghat to spread awareness about Buddhism.

“Then there is Gandhi Ghat where a part of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed and Kali Ghat where the Darbhanga king built a Goddess Kali temple which is still present. We have hired a designer to make the catalogue.”

PMC deputy municipal commissioner Anand said PMC was putting up barricades at the ghats, ensuring light at the ghats and approach roads and ensuring drinking water and urinals at the ghats.

District magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi had on Thursday told officials to complete work on the ghats by November 9.

“Instructions have been issued to make arrangements for swimmers, divers, State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force personnel. Hanging wires on the ghats have to be removed and generators made available,” said a source.

An official of PMC’s New Capital circle said: “After cleaning the ponds, Ganga jal will be poured. Work is on at Mahua Bag, BMP, Kautilya Nagar, Manik Chandra, Ramchandra Babu, DVC Jakkanpur among others ponds.”