- विज्ञापन -
Prayagraj: In response to the tragic stampede that resulted in at least 30 fatalities at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced stricter crowd management protocols to enhance the safety of devotees. These measures include restricting vehicle access, cancelling VIP passes, increasing security personnel, and lifting unnecessary restrictions on the pontoon bridges linking the mela city.
Officials announced that the Maha Kumbh area will be designated as a “no-vehicle zone” until February 4, the day after the next significant bathing ritual, “Amrit Snan,” on Basant Panchami, during which millions are expected to gather at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Previously, vehicles with valid passes were permitted to access various camps at the Maha Kumbh site. Now, the entry of four-wheelers and buses from outside Prayagraj is also banned until February 4. Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Anshuman Mishra stated that vehicle passes will remain invalid until all devotees have safely departed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Kumbh on February 5. Authorities clarified that police, administrative vehicles, ambulances, and essential service vehicles will not face restrictions.
The government has also revoked VIP passes to streamline entry for the general public. Previously, VIPs enjoyed access to areas designated for Akhadas and sadhus. The new rules stipulate that any VIP or VVIP movement must be communicated at least a week in advance to avoid last-minute disruptions for pilgrims.
The stampede occurred early Wednesday morning when surging crowds broke through police barricades, attempting to reach a narrow strip of the riverbank for a holy dip. The incident highlighted administrative shortcomings in managing the overwhelming crowd during “Mauni Amavasya,” a highly auspicious day in the six-week festival.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that such tragedies serve as a lesson. In light of the crowd pressures, the state government has increased police presence across Prayagraj. The Centre has also dispatched additional paramilitary forces, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), at the request of the state government.
Deputy Inspector General of Maha Kumbh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna, stated that the festival site will be divided into more sectors to improve crowd management, with additional forces deployed at the confluence area to reduce the time pilgrims spend in the bathing zone.
Witnesses noted that limited exit points exacerbated the situation, as the area was overcrowded, leaving no room for people to turn back after their dip. The state government has also instructed officials to avoid unnecessary closures of pontoon bridges to facilitate smooth access for pilgrims, particularly on February 3.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar visited the Maha Kumbh Mela area for a review on Thursday. They gathered information about the stampede from District Magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand.
As of Thursday evening, 20 million people had taken the holy dip at the Sangam, although overall attendance was reported to be lower than expected.
A three-member judicial commission has been established by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the stampede, with plans to visit the site on Friday and submit a report within a month. The panel is led by former Allahabad High Court judge Harsh Kumar, alongside former Director General of Police VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh.
