In just a few hours, the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh will face a significant challenge. Today marks Mahashivratri and the concluding royal bath of Maha Kumbh. The festival has been ongoing for 44 days in Prayagraj. While facing criticism from opposition regarding arrangements and the Sangam's water, over 650 million devotees previously have shielded the government from scrutiny. How will today's monumental task be managed?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had predicted around 450 million devout Hindus would partake in the Maha Kumbh. However, with tides of faith surpassing expectations in just 26 days, he revised this to 600 million, a milestone reached by the 40th day. By the final day, Mahashivratri, it's expected that attendance in Prayagraj will peak at 20 million. Thus, extensive preparations have been set in motion under his instruction.
Seven Challenges on the Final Day of Maha Kumbh's Royal Bath
Why then is the 45th day so challenging when the previous days went smoothly? This day encompasses seven significant challenges: the festival's conclusion, Mahashivratri's sanctity, the culmination of royal bathers, managing devotees at the confluence and various temples, controlling pilgrim flows from Prayagraj to Varanasi and Ayodhya, ensuring law and order amid religious sensitivities, and countering rumor-induced conspiracies.
Source: aajtak
Discover the Truth Behind the '144-Year-Old Maha Kumbh' Claim: A Black-and-White Analysis
The Maha Kumbh police responded to misleading rumors on Tuesday, addressing false claims about a train from Bangladesh supposedly en route to the Kumbh. FIRs have been filed against 31 social media accounts. Millions will congregate from temples to the Sangam, to stations and streets. To prevent any disorder, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dispatched senior officers from Lucknow to Prayagraj to ensure successful management.
An extensive team has been deployed for managing the Mahashivratri bath. After six IPS officers, ADG Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, has also reached Prayagraj. Alongside him, IAS Ashish Goyal is overseeing operations. Amitabh Yash inspected the Maha Kumbh police control room, evaluated the situation, and held consultations with all officials on traffic management.
Four ADG Rank Officers at the Maha Kumbh
ADG Prayagraj Zone Bhanu BhaskarADG PAC Sujit PandeyADG Law and Order Amitabh YashADG Traffic K. Satyanarayan
Seven IG Rank Officers
Police Commissioner Prayagraj Tarun GabaIG Prem Kumar GautamIG Ashutosh KumarIG Manzil SainiIG Preetinder SinghIG Chandra PrakashIG Rajesh Modak
Two DIG Rank Officers
DIG Ajay Pal SharmaDIG Vaibhav Krishna
Source: aajtak
Traffic Management: The Biggest Challenge on Mahashivratri
A day before Mahashivratri, Tuesday witnessed over 5 million people taking a holy dip in the Sangam by 10 AM. By 4 PM, this figure doubled, indicating a rate of over 800,000 individuals hourly. Estimates anticipate between 17.5 to 20 million will attend by Mahashivratri. Thus, under directives from Yogi Adityanath, ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash has reached Prayagraj, emphasizing traffic control for the concluding royal bath on this auspicious day.
Read More: Mahakumbh's Preparations for Mahashivratri Bath: A Comprehensive Overview from Prayagraj
Previous incidents, where an influx of private vehicles led to temporary disruptions, will not be repeated. ADG PAC Sujit Pandey will oversee the Prayagraj-Mirzapur route, IG Chandra Prakash the Prayagraj-Varanasi highway, and IG Preetinder Singh the Prayagraj-Rewa road. IG Rajesh Modak will handle urban traffic, while Vigilance IG Manzil Saini will orchestrate from Lucknow, organizing routes to Ayodhya-Pratapgarh. The immense challenge remains managing both temple-goers and those gathering for the final royal dip.
How Will Crowd Management Be Implemented in the Maha Kumbh Area?
In the Sangam area, on Mahashivratri, controlling masses will pose a significant challenge. On Tuesday, the fairground was declared a no-vehicle zone from 4 PM onwards, and the urban zone followed at 6 PM. Efforts focus on dispersing crowds to prevent congregation. Surveillance includes DIG Vaibhav Krishna assessing preparations from vantage points. When asked how the police will overcome their final test at the Maha Kumbh, DIG Vaibhav Krishna noted, 'Specific forces oversee the Sangam area, with CCTV monitoring pressure points, barriers installed, and designated holding areas to manage crowds.'
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How Are Devotee Numbers Tracked at Maha Kumbh?
If you've wondered how the government tracks the 650 million attendees over 44 days, 21st-century technology has integrated into this age-old tradition. Using artificial intelligence, a network of 500 AI-equipped cameras is strategically positioned across the Maha Kumbh grounds to count participants. The process involves estimating numbers per area, counting visible heads, and facial recognition to compile individual data.
