Prayagraj: With just a few days left for the Maha Kumbh Mela to begin in Pryagraj, the police are undergoing extensive training to equip their personnel with the skills required to handle challenges at the event. They are being trained to tackle disaster management, crowd control, and religious sensitivity. The Mahakumbh Mela is scheduled from January 14 to February 26 next year.
According to a report published in Hindustan Times, police personnel will also be required to take a written examination to assess their readiness for the upcoming event. Speaking to the paper, Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi, Senior Superintendent of Police Kumbh Mela, said that mandatory training is being conducted to prepare the personnel for practical challenges.
‘Personnel who fail in the written test will be required to appear again’
Sharing further details, Sandeep Verma, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Training) said that the personnel who fail to clear the test will be required to undergo an additional three days of training, after which they will appear before re-test. The step has been taken to ensure that every personnel achieves the required competency during the event.
Govt rejects reports of free travel to Mahakumbh
Earlier this week, both Indian Railways and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) debunked reports that devotees planning to attend the Mela will be eligible for free travel on trains or toll-free passage on national highways. Stating on Wednesday, the Ministry of Railways addressed the reports as “misleading “ on reports of free train journeys for Maha Kumbh Mela attendees. The ministry categorically denied these claims, claiming they were baseless and had no factual foundation.
“Indian Railways strictly prohibits traveling without a valid ticket, which is a punishable offense under existing regulations. There are no provisions for free travel during the Maha Kumbh Mela or any other occasion,” the statement added.
