Chandigarh, Nov. 13 -- While Sector 42 new lake has traditionally served as the principal hub for Chhath Puja celebrations, drawing thousands of devotees from across the region, the Chandigarh municipalcorporation (MC) has expanded arrangements to 26locations. "Noting that many residents could not travel to their hometowns for Chhath Puja, we urged mayor Saurabh Joshi to organise the festival closer to their neighborhoods. Acting on our request, the authorities expanded the number of venues across these residential areas," said Anil Dubey, leader of the Purvanchal delegation. The 26 locations identified for the celebrations include Green Belt in Vikas Nagar, the area behind Shiv Mandir in Mauli Jagran, Green Belt in Pocket No. 9 of Indira Colony, Manimajra, Bapu Dham, Tubewell Park in Daria, Ram Darbar Phase 1, Mandi Ground in Ram Darbar Phase 2, Green Belt Part 2 in EWS Colony, Sector 49-C, Behlana, Hallomajra, the area near Green Belt in Sector 30-A, Ramleela Ground in Sector 29-A, near Bal Shiv Mandir in Sector 29, the park near Tubewell in Palsora, EWS Maloya, EWS Dhanas, Burail, Kajheri, River Road near Ram Sharnam Temple in Khudda Lahora, Khudda Lahora Part 2, Amrit Sarovar in Kaimbwala, Amrit Sarovar in Khudda Alisher, Kishangarh, Colony and Shivalik Park. The expansion has also been accompanied by an increase in the civic body's budget for the festival. The initial proposal of Rs.35 lakh was increased by an additional Rs.15 lakh, taking the final allocation to Rs.50 lakh, sanctioned following the mayor's intervention. Municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said the panel will examine the funding, though a location-wise breakup remains unconfirmed....