Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that in the next few days, many dignitaries including the President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will visit Maha Kumbh Mela.
The Chief Minister Yogi has ordered officials to enhance crowd management and communication systems in the Mahakumbh Mela area due to the approaching Republic Day, as well as Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchami Amrit Snans.
He emphasized that good security arrangements would be required for the Amrit Snan during Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami.
The Chief Minister on Sunday reviewed the Mela area in Prayagraj. Later, he met the officials and issued appropriate guidelines for further arrangements.
He said, "Movement on pontoon bridges should be one-way to better manage crowds on special days. The entire Mela area should be declared a no-vehicle zone on Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami. The sentiments of the devotees need to be respected, and officials should become proactive enough to assist in any case of need."
He ordered that all the preparations needed for the events should be done in time.
The Chief Minister said the state cabinet meeting will be convened here on 22 January.
In the meeting held at the ICCC auditorium, the Chief Minister said that around 1.5 crore devotees are currently present in the fairgrounds, and over 7 crore people have already taken a holy dip at Triveni. He said that the massive turnout during Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti was well-managed, and every visitor left satisfied.
He estimated that 8 to 10 crore people are expected to visit on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Large crowds are also anticipated on Republic Day. He called for stringent arrangements so that the convenience and safety of visitors are not hampered.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to arrange for un-interrupted supply of electricity and water, cleanliness and up-keep of toilets, pontoon bridges and crowd management plan well in advance. He emphasized that publicity of traffic management arrangement and parking should be continuously made to visitors.
He mentioned that in the fair area, mobile network services should be developed, saying reliable connectivity is important for everybody- the media, police, and devotees. He highlighted that the tower capacity and coverage need to be increased especially ahead of Mauni Amavasya. He told the officers to arrange that the devotees are able to take a dip in the ghats nearest to their entry points to minimize walking distances.
The Chief Minister told railway officials that the railways played a very important role in the smooth running of affairs. Referring to the experience of Makar Sankranti, he said that after bathing, devotees wished to return to their destinations quickly, and thus, Mela Special Trains should run throughout the day. He suggested that separate railway stations should be provided for routine trains and Mela Special Trains and that routine trains should be diverted or cancelled wherever possible.
The Chief Minister directed the railway authorities to make special arrangements from January 25 to February 5 with utmost vigilance. He also emphasized that regular announcements about train schedules and platform numbers should be made so that once a platform is assigned, it does not change.
Over 200 Mela Special Trains have been announced, railway officials said. As part of arrangements for the great day, the Chief Minister told Transport Corporation authorities to increase shuttle bus frequency and see to it that these buses remain running throughout.
CM Yogi asked the officers to work upon enhancement of different infrastructures and basic facilities of diverse sectors, and mainly on drinking water supply and toilets in sectors connected to Prayagraj. He sought the need to ensure that Kalpvasis face no inconvenience and ordered the administration to concentrate on their demands.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the requirement of proper coordination with local organisations to run the Lost and Found Centres smoothly in the digital format. The minister further instructed officials to make arrangements for creating bonfires at several places in the Mela area so that people can stay warm. He also stressed the active presence of the Water Police and Ganga Doots to ensure safety and proper support to the devotees.
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