Prayagraj:
In the early hours of January 29, 2025, the sacred grounds of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, were marred by a devastating stampede that resulted in the loss of 30 lives and left 60 others injured. This tragic event occurred on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days for the holy dip, drawing millions of pilgrims to the banks of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
The incident has highlighted critical crowd management issues at one of the world’s largest and most revered religious gatherings. In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial probe and implemented a series of stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela was triggered by pilgrims pushing against barricades near the Sangam area, a spot considered sacred due to the confluence of the three rivers. The sheer volume of devotees, estimated to be around 10 crore on that single day, overwhelmed the existing infrastructure and crowd control measures.
To address these issues, the entire Maha Kumbh fair area has been declared a No-Vehicle Zone, effectively banning the entry of all types of vehicles. Additionally, all VVIP passes that allowed vehicle entry have been canceled, eliminating any exceptions. A one-way traffic system has been enforced to streamline the movement of devotees, and vehicles arriving from neighboring districts are being stopped at district borders to reduce congestion.
The entry of four-wheelers into Prayagraj has been completely banned until February 4 to maintain order and prevent further incidents. Experienced IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami, who played key roles in managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, have been directed to assist in Maha Kumbh operations. Five special secretary-rank officers with experience in handling large-scale events have also been assigned to help with crowd management.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a comprehensive review of the Maha Kumbh arrangements by the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP). A three-member judicial commission, comprising Justice Harsh Kumar, former Director General VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer VK Singh, has been appointed to investigate the causes of the stampede.
To ensure a safe and smooth departure of all devotees from the city, the ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj have been directed to take necessary measures. Increased patrolling and streamlined traffic flow have been mandated on major routes leading to Prayagraj, including those from Ayodhya, Kanpur, Fatehpur, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, and Varanasi.
Holding areas with adequate facilities for food, drinking water, and uninterrupted electricity supply have been set up at border points to manage crowd pressure. The Transport Corporation has been directed to deploy additional buses to accommodate the rush of devotees returning home.
In a gesture of support, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede. This move is part of a broader effort to provide immediate relief and support to the affected families.
As the Maha Kumbh Mela continues until February 26, the focus now shifts to ensuring that such a tragedy does not recur, while also providing the necessary support and compensation to those affected by this devastating event.
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