Prayagraj: In view of the Magh Purnima Snan at the Maha Kumbh here, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a special traffic plan to ensure smooth movement and safety of devotees.
Aligning with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision of a 'Surakshit Mahakumbh', the entire mela area has been declared a no vehicle zone starting from 4 am on February 11 with entry restricted only to essential and emergency services.
All private and public vehicles arriving in Prayagraj on February 11 after 4 am are being directed to designated parking areas along their respective routes. This measure aims to prevent traffic congestion in the city and allow pilgrims to reach the bathing ghats conveniently on foot.
Besides, from 5 pm on February 11, the 'no vehicle zone' will expand to the entire Prayagraj city. Only emergency services will be exempt from this regulation.
This special traffic plan will remain in effect until the completion of the Magh Purnima Snan on February 12, ensuring the safe departure of pilgrims from the fairgrounds. The same rules will also apply to the vehicles of devotees observing Kalpavas. The administration has urged all Kalpavasis to comply with the guidelines and use only authorised parking facilities.
Authorities have also appealed to visitors to follow traffic regulations and cooperate with officials to ensure a seamless and orderly bathing festival at the Maha Kumbh.
It may be noted that during a high-level meeting on Monday night, Yogi Adityanath had directed that a a well-structured traffic and crowd management plan must be implemented.
He said, "The fifth Snan Parv of Maha Kumbh, Magh Purnima, is set to take place on Wednesday. Over the past week, the influx of devotees into Prayagraj has increased significantly from all directions. Along with public transport, a large number of private vehicles are also arriving and this number is expected to rise further on the bathing festival.
In light of this, a well-structured traffic and crowd management plan must be implemented."
The CM has directed that the parking facilities at Prayagraj's borders should be operated efficiently. "The available parking capacity of over 5 lakh vehicles must be fully utilised. While providing necessary support to children, women and the elderly, no vehicle should be allowed to enter the fair premises in violation of regulations.
Shuttle buses should be used as required, with an increase in their numbers as per demand. Devotees must be encouraged to follow the designated parking system and they should be treated cooperatively and respectfully," he said.
Yogi said that no long queues of vehicles should be allowed to form on the roads and traffic congestion must be prevented at all costs. "Strict measures should be taken to ensure that vehicles are not parked on the roads and vehicular movement remains continuous and unobstructed," he said.
The Chief Minister said that the District Magistrates of all districts sharing a border with Prayagraj must maintain constant coordination with the Prayagraj administration to ensure smooth vehicle movement. "Mutual coordination should be maintained to prevent congestion in the fair area and barricading should be installed where necessary. There should be no traffic jams due to toll collection," he said.
Yogi said that the Railway stations in Prayagraj are witnessing a large number of devotees returning home after taking a holy dip. "It is our responsibility to ensure their safe journey.
Continuous operation of trains should be ensured by maintaining coordination with the Railways and additional Transport Corporation buses should be deployed for better passenger movement," he said.
