New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has apparently learnt a lesson or two from the stampede that broke out at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, killing at least 30 people and leaving more than 60 injured.
A day after the tragedy, the state government has decided to adopt stringent measures to ensure that there is no repeat of such an incident in the future. The administration has started making extensive arrangements for Basant Panchami, while implementing five major changes on the Mela premises. These included declaring the Maha Kumbh area a no-vehicle zone, cancelling all VVIP passes and making roads leading to the fair one-way for smooth movement of devotees.
Senior officers despatched
Senior IAS and IPS officers from Lucknow have been despatched to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. Those officers are being put on duty who are considered experts in crowd management.
Ashish Goyal, Chairman of UPPCL and Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj and Bhanu Chand Goswami, VC of Allahabad Development Authority, have been sent to Maha Kumbh. Apart from this, preparations are being made to send many more senior IAS officers. Preparations are also being made to send many IPS officers, including IPS Sujit Pandey, to Prayagraj. Regarding of the accident, the Chief Secretary and DGP will go to Prayagraj and review the incident and will also hold several rounds of meetings with the officials regarding the upcoming Basant Panchami ‘snan’.
Five major changes made
1. The entry of all types of vehicles has been banned in the Maha Kumbh area to ensure better crowd management and safety of devotees travelling there.
2. VVIP passes have been cancelled, and vehicles will not be allowed entry, even with special passes.
3. A one-way traffic system has been implemented to streamline the smooth movement of devotees and facilitate bathing.
4. Vehicles coming from districts neighbouring Prayagraj are being halted at the district borders reduce congestion.
5. The entry of four-wheelers into the city has been completely banned until February 4 to maintain order.
CM issues directions
In a meeting on Wednesday, UP Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi directed that ‘Amrit Snan’ is to be held on the occasion of Basant Panchami on February 3. He said that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police should review the arrangements of the Maha Kumbh Mela area on Thursday. Focus should be given on every aspect related to security and convenience in view of Basant Panchami, the CM pointed out.
While ordering a judicial investigation into the stampede, the CM instructed officials to ensure smooth traffic flow in the Mela area and avoid unnecessary stops. He emphasised that crowd congestion should be prevented, and there should be no traffic snarls on the roads.
As a large number of devotees at railway stations in Prayagraj prepare to return home, Adityanath has directed officials to work closely with railway authorities to ensure smooth travel. He also instructed the Transport Corporation to deploy extra buses to manage the increased influx of passengers.
