No VIP protocol or special visits on major bathing days of Magh Mela: Yogi

Lucknow: In a review of the arrangements for the Magh Mela to be held in Prayagraj in Jan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that there should be no VIP protocol or special visits during major bathing days of the 44-day-long festival. The decision was taken, said sources, after an assessment of crowd management during the Maha Kumbh earlier this year.Calling the festival a living example of India's cultural and religious traditions and social discipline, the CM said it should reflect govt's administrative efficiency. Govt is expecting 12-15 crore devotees to visit the mela between Jan 3 and Feb 15. During this period, major bathing festivals will be Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima, and Mahashivratri. The CM said that more than 3.5 crore people are expected to take a dip in Sangam on the major festival days.
"Providing a safe, clean, and well-organised environment to devotees coming from across the country and abroad is govt's top priority. The tradition of Kalpwas, bathing, and spiritual practice at Sangam is the soul of Indian cultural consciousness. This year, 15 to 25 lakh devotees will be Kalpwasis alone. After the well-organised Maha Kumbh, there is special enthusiasm in the country and world regarding Magh Mela. This fair gives society the message of restraint, harmony, and service," the CM said.Yogi directed officials to ensure that there should be spiritual dignity in all arrangements. He has asked all heads of departments associated with the Magh Mela and ADG (law and order) to personally visit the mela area and review preparations, all of which should be completed by Dec 31.Asking officials to use modern technology for security and crowd management, the CM said that a multi-layered action plan for traffic and crowd management should be in place. Prayagraj police commissioner informed the CM that about 450 CCTV cameras are being installed, of which 250 cameras have already been installed. SDRF and NDRF teams will also be deployed in addition to AI-based surveillance and crowd management systems.The CM stressed the need to train police personnel so that they displayed better behaviour. The govt will include NSS volunteers and NCC cadets for crowd management.With the CM stressing the need for using innovations, it has been decided that there will be an app-based bike taxi service, expansion of directional signs, QR code-based identification system on electric poles, Ring Main Unit for uninterrupted power supply, geo-tube technology to prevent erosion, and pre-fabricated sewage treatment plants.Reviewing arrangements for sanitation, the CM said that Magh Mela should become an example of cleanliness and said only single-use plastic should be permitted in mela grounds. He was informed that 16,650 toilets are being installed in the mela area, including separate facilities for women. Around 3,300 sanitation workers will be deployed round the clock. The CM has directed the urban development department to ensure a zero liquid discharge system in the mela area.To meet the health requirements of visitors, two hospitals with 20 beds each, 12 primary treatment centres, 50 ambulances, and Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical units are being established in the mela area.The CM was also informed that construction of jetties was about 85% complete. He said that regular patrolling should be ensured in the river area. He also directed that mock drills should be conducted and adequate availability of modern equipment for fire brigades should be ensured.This year, the tourism and culture department will be organising folk dances, folk dramas, bhajan-kirtan, Ramlila, and exhibitions based on the state's art and culture during Magh Mela. Exhibitions of public records related to administrative arrangements of early Magh Mela events of the 19th and early 20th century and rare manuscripts related to spirituality will be set up.This year, the mela area has been expanded to about 800 hectares. The number of sectors has been increased from 5 to 7. The length of bathing ghats has been increased by about 50% compared to the previous Magh Mela. Work on a detailed action plan for 42 parking sites, 9 pontoon bridges, better internal road system, and smooth movement for devotees' convenience is in the final stage.

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