New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh officials are ensuring strict adherence to chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive for a zero-error event ahead of the third “Amrit Snan” on Basant Panchami at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj on February 3. This comes after a stampede on January 29 during the Mauni Amavasya snan, which claimed at least 40 lives and injured 60 people.
The overcrowding at Sangam Nose caused a barrier to collapse, leading to the fatal chaos. Yogi Adityanath visited Prayagraj on Saturday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit on February 5.
Administrative preparations
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for this year’s Basant Panchami Mela with a robust administrative team. Two senior IAS officers, Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, who played a pivotal role in organising the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, have been assigned to oversee the event’s smooth execution. They are joined by Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand and Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Bhanu Bhaskar, who is handling crowd control measures at the Mela grounds.
Security personnel keep vigil on the eve of the ‘Basant Panchami Amrit Snan’ on Sunday (PTI image)
Security measures & ‘operation eleven’
To ensure smooth movement of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding at Triveni Ghats, “Operation Eleven” has been launched, introducing a one-way traffic system within the mela area. Barricades have been set up, and additional police forces have been deployed, especially on pontoon bridges, to avert any untoward incidents.
Enhanced security measures are in place at the New Yamuna and Shastri bridges, while armed state and central police personnel have been stationed at major crowd hotspots, including Tikarmafi Turn and Phaphamau Bridge. Strategic traffic diversions have also been implemented to manage flow effectively.
Transport & logistics
Rail and bus services have been optimised, with extra trains and shuttle services arranged for devotees. Prayag Junction and key city intersections are under tight security, with Rapid Action Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary units deployed at sensitive locations to maintain law and order.
The UPSRTC has reserved 2,500 buses, operating from four temporary bus stations, to ensure a smooth and orderly return of devotees.
The fair administration has also shared travel details with devotees regarding their movement for the Basant Panchami bath.
- From Arail to Jhunsi: Bridge No. 28 is open.
- From Sangam to Jhunsi: Bridges No. 2, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 23, and 25 are open.
- From Jhunsi to Sangam: Devotees can use Bridges No. 16, 18, 21, and 24.
- From Jhunsi to Arail: Bridges No. 27 and 29 are open.
- Devotees can use these routes for smooth and easy travel.
Devotee experience & crowd management
A devotee returning after taking a holy dip, told PTI, “After bathing at the Sangam ghat, devotees are being cleared away. Police are blowing their whistles in every direction to ensure the ghats are emptied. That is why we left immediately after bathing.”
ADG Bhaskar visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to monitor the fairgrounds and major intersections, directing police to manage crowd flow. He urged devotees not to linger at the ghats after bathing, advised against eating at the site and instructed them to use designated areas for refreshments. Bhaskar spoke of timely departures from the ghats to avoid overcrowding.
Police personnel manage vendors as devotees arrive on the eve of the ‘Basant Panchami Amrit Snan’ (PTI image)
Spiritual significance
The Amrit Snan, the most sacred ritual of the Maha Kumbh Mela, attracts crores of pilgrims to the Triveni Sangam. Devotees believe bathing during celestial alignments purifies sins and leads to salvation. Since January 13, more than 33.61 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Sangam. Basant Panchami marks the third and the final Amrit Snan date at the Kumbh. Two more special snans are on February 12 (Maghi Purnima) and 26 (Mahashivratri).
Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the All India Akhada Parishad, reassured devotees that taking a dip anywhere between Phaphamau and Arail holds the same spiritual significance as bathing at the Sangam. He urged them not to overcrowd the confluence area.
Medical preparedness
Meanwhile, the entire medical infrastructure of Prayagraj division was placed on high alert on Sunday following the Chief Minister’s directive. All doctors across Mahakumbh Nagar and the wider division have been instructed to stay vigilant, ensuring the health and safety of the devotees.
“Over 1,200 medical personnel are fully prepared in the Mahakumbh Nagar to provide immediate assistance. The entire medical force will remain stationed at the fairground and will only be relieved after February 6. Additionally, a backup plan has been put in place to address any emergencies,” the government said in a statement.
“At Swarup Rani Nehru Hospital, 500 staff members have been put on standby, most existing patients have been discharged, and 150 beds have been reserved for emergencies. Sixty resident doctors have been placed on 24-hour alert mode, 30 CT scan machines are ready, along with MRI and ultrasound facilities, ensuring all necessary tests can be conducted. A 200-unit blood bank has also been set up at SRN Hospital, and all facilities are linked to an alarm system for quick response,” the statement added.
