Prayagraj: To improve riverfront management in the city, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to hand over the maintenance of seven main ghats along the Ganga and Yamuna to private institutions.The aim is to ensure better upkeep, regular cultural activities and enhanced basic facilities at these ghats.Under the plan, four ghats on the Ganga — Chhatnag, Nageshwar, Rasulabad and Shankar — and three on the Yamuna — Gaughat, Baluaghat and Mehda— will be managed by selected organisations. Applications have been invited through an expression of interest process.Additional municipal commissioner, Deependra Yadav, said the selected institutions will be responsible not only for cleanliness and maintenance but also for organising daily evening aarti, morning yoga sessions and non-commercial cultural programmes.“They will also oversee preparations for major religious occasions such as Dev Deepawali and Chhath Puja,” he said.The guidelines specify that only temporary structures can be developed at these ghats and the use of plastic will be strictly prohibited. Institutions may, however, set up basic facilities and limited shops based on feasibility. The contract will initially be for two years, with a possible one-year extension based on performance.Officials indicated that on the lines of Arail Ghat, the prominent Dashashwamedh Ghat may be handed over separately to Parmarth Niketan, although this has drawn opposition from local priests.Additionally, institutions managing Baluaghat and Rasulabad will shoulder extra responsibilities, including maintenance of multiple sections of a given ghat, a baradari structure at Baluaghat and a cremation ground at Rasulabad. The move is expected to bring structured management and enhance the cultural vibrancy of Prayagraj’s riverfront.
