Prayagraj: More than two crore pilgrims, including saints, Kalpwasis, and devotees, took a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mystic Saraswati rivers, on the occasion of Magh Purnima during Maha Kumbh on Wednesday.
Official sources said that adding to the religious and spiritual spirit of the pilgrims, saints, and devotees, who took a bath in the Sangam, were welcomed with flower showers from the air.
Sources said that till 6 pm over 2 crore devotees, including 10 lakh Kalpwasis, took a bath in the Sangam. Till Tuesday, more than 46.25 crore devotees have taken a holy dip, they said.
To ensure seamless arrangements, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with the senior officers, continuously monitored the situation from Lucknow since the wee hours.
It may be noted that the UP government had made foolproof preparations for the successful organisation of the fourth bathing festival, Magh Purnima. CM Yogi had issued clear directives to ensure that no devotee, Kalpvasi, or ordinary citizen faces any inconvenience in the Maha Kumbh Mela area or across Prayagraj city.
In line with this, the local administration and police department worked with full readiness, focusing on traffic management, smooth vehicular movement, parking, security, surveillance and overall monitoring.
Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba said that the UP government and police are committed to offering devotees a seamless and hassle-free experience at the Maha Kumbh. He highlighted that traffic management plans were formulated months in advance and are being successfully implemented.
He said, "Despite the surge in vehicles towards the weekend and intermittent high-traffic periods, the administration and police force have efficiently managed challenges through tireless efforts. As a result, traffic remains smooth on all routes leading to the fair area and within Prayagraj, ensuring no congestion in the city."
The police and local administration utilised ANPR and AI-enabled cameras to monitor the movement of devotees and regulate traffic in the fair area. Besides, real-time data was gathered from toll plazas and officials in neighbouring districts to track incoming vehicle numbers and routes, enabling appropriate traffic management.
To ensure a smooth experience for all, the fair area was declared a no-vehicle zone a day before the Magh Purnima bathing festival.
A special security operation, 'Operation Chaturbhuj', was launched to ensure the safety of devotees from across the country and abroad for the holy bath on Magh Purnima in Maha Kumbh Nagar. This initiative was carried out under the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, reinforcing stringent security measures.
Besides, a dedicated team from the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) was crucial in establishing a robust security framework by leveraging advanced technology for comprehensive surveillance. Every aspect of safety, convenience, crime control, and crowd management from Tuesday night onwards was meticulously monitored.
The ICCC oversees the fairgrounds and the entire city through 2,750 high-tech cameras, an anti-drone system and specialised security teams, ensuring round-the-clock vigilance.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Dwivedi emphasised that round the clock aerial surveillance was conducted via drones, while special security arrangements at the ICCC have significantly enhanced crowd management.
He said, "Furthermore, the anti-drone system remains on high alert in Maha Kumbh Nagar, actively preventing unauthorised aerial activity. On the auspicious occasion of Magh Purnima, stringent measures were in place to detect and neutralise suspicious drones, ensuring an incident-free and secure environment for all devotees."
As devotees from across the country and abroad started arriving at Mahakumbh Nagar on Tuesday night for the sacred Magh Purnima bathing festival, large-scale preparations were set in motion to ensure a seamless experience.
In anticipation of the massive influx, Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) were activated across the fairgrounds, providing real-time guidance and instructions to pilgrims. These displays played a crucial role in assisting devotees, ensuring a smooth and organised bathing experience at the Triveni Sangam.
On the special directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Maha Kumbh Nagar administration made extensive arrangements to accommodate devotees from India and abroad, ensuring that no inconvenience was faced by them during their pilgrimage.
Additionally, continuous announcements were made urging devotees not to linger on the ghats after their bath and to move towards their destinations swiftly. This streamlined the bathing process and enhanced crowd management during Magh Purnima.
