A massive fire broke out in the Maha Kumbh Mela area on Sunday evening, starting in the kitchen of the Geeta Press camp. The blaze quickly spread, destroying six tents and 40 temporary shelters. While no casualties were reported, one person, identified as Jaspreet, sustained injuries while trying to escape the scene.
Satellite images accessed by India Today show the campsite of the Geeta Press near to the railway bridge in the sector 19 area. These pictures were taken on January 17th, days before the fire incident.
The incident site is visible in the satellite imagery captured by US based space firm Maxar Technologies, showing red tents and shelters located right beside the railway bridge. The campsite was located near the riverside.
The Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13 and will end on February 26. A huge number of pilgrims, visitors, and sadhus are attending the event. The Uttar Pradesh government has estimated that 45 crore people will visit.
Satellite imagery from January 17 shows the bathing ghats near the Sangam heavily crowded with devotees.
It also shows thousands of red, white, and yellow tents across the riverbank of Sangam, along with several boats taking devotees on rides. According to officials, 1.6 lakh tents and 50,000 shops have been set up for the event.
In a press release, the Uttar Pradesh government detailed its plans for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The arrangements include the construction of eight new pontoon bridges, visible in satellite images, making transportation more accessible.
To improve security, AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed across key locations. For the convenience of pilgrims, UPSRTC is operating 550 shuttle buses within Prayagraj city.
Over 102 parking zones, spanning approximately 1,900 hectares, have been prepared to accommodate up to 5.5 lakh vehicles. These extensive measures aim to ensure smooth transportation, enhanced safety, and convenience for the millions of visitors expected during the event.
For Maha Kumbh 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Department has deployed four advanced articulating water towers (AWT) to tackle fires in large tents and structures. Equipped with thermal imaging, the AWTs can reach heights of 35 meters. With Rs 131.48 crore allocated for fire safety, over 350 firefighting vehicles and 2,000 trained personnel have been deployed.
