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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave directions to the kumbh mela administration in Prayagraj during a special meeting, following which changes are expected from tomorrow
Hindu devotees gather to take a holy dip in the Sangam on ‘Mauni Amavasya’ in Prayagraj on January 29. (Image: AP/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
The Maha Kumbh will be a vehicle-free zone while all ‘VVIP’ passes stand cancelled till February 4, in wake of the ‘Mauni Amavasya’ stampede in which 30 people were killed and 60 injured on Wednesday.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave directions to the kumbh mela administration in Prayagraj during a special meeting. Following this, some key changes are expected in the mela grounds from Thursday till February 4.
Here is all you need to know:
No-vehicle Zone: The entire fair area has been declared a no-vehicle zone from Thursday to February 4. Convoy of ‘VVIP’ bath and escort vehicles has been banned. Only two-wheelers, ambulances, municipal as well as fire department vehicles will be allowed inside. Entry of four-wheelers from districts adjacent to Prayagraj has also been banned.
Bath Route Changed, Holding Areas To Avoid Crowding: Since the stampede took place near the Sangam, where people were gathered to take the holy dip, bath routes will now be one-way. Hence, those going for a bath will not be clashing with those on their way back. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told officials that ‘Amrit Snan’ is to be held during Basant Panchami on February 3, another auspicious day. The chief secretary and DGP should review the arrangements, focusing on every point related to security and convenience in view of Basant Panchami. He said holding areas have been created in border areas to avoid crowding in the mela grounds. “Wherever people are stopped, food and drinking water should be arranged for everyone. Not a single devotee should have food and water issues. Electricity supply should not be disrupted in any holding area,” he said.
Train, Bus Operations To Be Monitored: Adityanath said a large number of devotees, present at all the railway stations in Prayagraj, are returning home after taking a bath at the kumbh mela. He said district officials must ensure that they all safely reach their destination. “This is our responsibility. For this, continuous operation of trains should be ensured by making contact and coordination with the railways. Additional buses of the transport corporation should also be deployed,” he said.
Smooth Traffic Management: The chief minister said there should be proper traffic management around the kumbh mela. “Do not stop people unnecessarily, or let crowd pressure build at any spot. There should be no jams and, if there are street vendors, then they should be sent to vacant areas. Traffic should flow smoothly,” he said. Traffic should not be blocked on important routes like Ayodhya-Prayagraj, Kanpur-Prayagraj, Fatehpur-Prayagraj, Lucknow-Pratapgarh-Prayagraj, and Varanasi-Prayagraj, he added.
Heightened Security: The CM increased the administrative workforce at the kumbh mela, saying former Prayagraj divisional commissioner Ashish Goyal, who oversaw the 2019 Kumbh, and another officer are being deployed to facilitate arrangements at the mela grounds. Apart from this, five officers of special secretary level will join them, and remain in Prayagraj till February 12. Police personnel of SP-rank will also be deployed. “Lakhs of devotees coming to Maha Kumbh are also reaching Varanasi and Ayodhya for darshan and worship. A large number of people are also arriving in Chitrakoot and Mirzapur. More people are expected to arrive in the next two days. In view of this, special vigilance is required in all three major cities,” he said.
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Allahabad, India, India