The world-renowned religious gathering, MahaKumbh, expects a massive attendance of over 400 million people. During this event, no calls will drop and the internet streams will be seamless. Telecom providers, alongside the MahaKumbh Mela administration, have geared up to ensure smooth connectivity in this dense tele-density scenario.
Efforts include laying additional optical fiber, erecting new towers, base transceiver stations (BTS), and transportable towers to guarantee robust connectivity throughout the fair.
Three disaster management centers equipped with state-of-the-art communication tech have been established in the event area by the Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) to facilitate swift crisis responses.
“In times of natural or man-made disasters, these centers provide critical communication channels, ensuring the safety of attendees,” stated a senior ICCC official.
Facing the unique challenge of managing services amidst millions using mobile/internet simultaneously, telecom operators have expanded services to ensure perpetual communication for devotees and visitors.
Vivek Chaturvedi, Additional District Magistrate of MahaKumbh Nagar, mentions, “Uninterrupted phone connections solve numerous problems, reducing the fear of losing loved ones in crowds since communication ease has improved vastly from prior Kumbhs. Digital payments reduce the cash-carrying necessity, making it easier to alert authorities in case of incidents.”
Telecom providers have agreed to optimize networks and install more towers in preparation for the crowds, aided by additional permanent towers on government buildings beyond the fairgrounds for city-wide connectivity.
To boost safety and convenience, 53 help desks have been set within the fair to assist with fraud communication reporting and blocking lost or stolen mobiles.
Throughout the fair, emergency alerts, disaster warnings, and public awareness messages are facilitated through integrated platforms like the Cell Broadcast Alert Facility and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
According to the Ministry of Telecommunications, the city has seen 26 kilometers of optical fiber laid, strengthening telecom infrastructure. Furthermore, 328 new towers and mast installations fortify coverage.
A total of 575 new BTS units are installed alongside the upgrade of 1,462 existing units, ensuring a robust network is maintained during the fair.
To meet soaring demands, 92 kilometers of optical fiber cable (OFC) is installed. 78 Cell on Wheels (CoW) and 150 small-cell outdoor solutions are deployed to maintain smooth communications in congested zones.
An Airtel spokesperson detailed increased measures, including 287 new sites, enhancement of over 340 existing sites, and installation of 74 kilometers of additional fiber within the city. In the spread-out Kumbh Mela complex, 78 active Cells on Wheels ensure consistent connectivity across campuses, highways, railways, airports, hotels, and high-footfall zones.
The MahaKumbh, a 12-year cycle major religious event, began on January 13 in Prayagraj and will last for 45 days. Over 80 million devotees have already taken a holy dip at the confluence, with an anticipated 100 million more joining on the upcoming Mauni Amavasya.
