The Uttar Pradesh government and administration are preparing to cater to a record number of pilgrims on Mauni Amavasya on January 29 at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
Some eight to ten crore pilgrims are expected to take a dip in the Sangam on the particular day. During the last ‘Amrit snan’ on Makar Sankranti (January 14), 3.5 crore devotees took the holy dip.
Among the facilities that have been identified for improvements are signages on railway stations. As on the days of the ‘Amrit snan’, no vehicles are allowed to ply from the railway station to the mela area, the signage should also mention the distance to the Sangam so that devotees are mentally prepared for the walk.
The state’s chief secretary (CS), Manoj Kumar Singh, has also directed that telecom connectivity remain strong and there should be no complaints of phones not connecting.
The Transport Department will be operating more buses from Prayagraj, while regular bus services to Ayodhya will remain uninterrupted. The distance between the two holy cities is about 163 kilometres and many devotees who are visiting the Mahakumbh are also going to the Ram Mandir which recently turned a year old.
The department will also ensure a clear display of information so that devotees do not go to those stations within the city which are not being operated.
Police are to ensure that free food distribution is not done on the road so as to create jams. Food distribution should happen only in designated areas, and these areas should be well-highlighted.
Besides adequate toilets for pilgrims, there should be enough numbers where there is heavy police deployment. The CS also emphasised that it must be ensured that ambulances being operated in the fair are used only to ferry patients. Strict action is to be taken against those who are misusing them.
Principal Secretary Urban Development, Amrit Abhijat said that announcements should be made at intervals of five to 10 minutes by the lost and found centres in the fair area so that no panic is created.
Balloons bearing numbers will be festooned to parking spaces so that these can be visible from a distance.
A date for a cabinet meeting in the mela area is expected to be announced soon.