Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): The Mela administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safe and seamless movement of devotees during the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya during Maha Kumbh here on January 29.
With an anticipated crowd of 10 crore devotees, comprehensive measures are being implemented to efficiently manage traffic and crowds at the sector level.
Officials have been directed to ensure that devotees return from the same sector or zone in which they arrive. Under no circumstances devotees will be permitted to move to Sangam Nose or other zones.
All ADMs, Additional SPs, COs, SDMs, and Sector Magistrates have been directed to supervise arrangements within their respective jurisdictions to maintain order.
As the most important festival of Maha Kumbh, Mauni Amavasya is the focal point of the event's arrangements. This year, with the Yogi government’s efforts to make Maha Kumbh more grand and divine, a record number of devotees are expected to gather in Prayagraj.
To prioritise the convenience of devotees, directives have been issued to minimise movement between zones, particularly at Sangam Nose, from January 27 to 29. A 12-kilometre-long ghat has been constructed for easy access and bathing.
Devotees are being encouraged to bathe at the ghat closest to their entry point and return from there without moving to other zones. Evacuation teams will be deployed to prevent overcrowding at the ghats, with safe evacuation of devotees being a top priority for the administration.
To ensure effective crowd control, key resources such as ropes, loud hailers, whistles, flying squads and watch tower teams will be deployed to ensure 100 percent control on hard barriers and barricades.
Emphasis will be placed on the presence of central forces and seamless coordination at these locations. Temporary holding areas, parking facilities and overnight stay arrangements will be established at institutions, if necessary, to further manage the crowd.
The infrastructure at the ghats is being reinforced to accommodate the large number of devotees. Provisions include river barricading, water police, watch towers, improved lighting, clear signage, toilets, changing rooms and comprehensive cleanliness measures.
The administration is also ensuring the availability of essential materials like straw, sacks, and casa for additional support.
