In view of the stampede at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday that killed 30 people while 60 others sustained injuries, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a slew of fresh directives on crowd management, traffic flow, prevention of build-up of devotees and coordination among departments.
The stampede took place after a large number of pilgrims turned up to take a dip in Sangam on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’. According to Mahakumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna, the incident occurred around 2 am on Wednesday.
Later in the night, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a three-member judicial commission, comprising Justice Harsh Kumar, former DG VK Gupta, and retired IAS VK Singh to look into the reasons behind the stampede. He also announced an ex gratia of rupees 25 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
CM Yogi reviews situation
In light of the tragedy, the chief minister conducted a late-night video conference with senior police officers and officials from multiple districts including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mirzapur, Basti, Jaunpur, Chitrakoot, Banda, Ambedkarnagar, Pratapgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bhadohi, Rae Bareli and Gorakhpur.
After reviewing updates from the ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj, the CM emphasised the need for heightened vigilance and caution in the mela area, according to the official statement.
The CM also sought updates from officials in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Chitrakoot regarding security and crowd management measures for incoming devotees, it said.
Key directives issued by CM Yogi Adityanath
The chief minister's fresh directives came as a significant increase in footfall expected over the next two days. The next 'Amrit Snan' is scheduled for Basant Panchami on February 3.
More officials deployed
In a bid to ensure maximum safety and security for the pilgrims, CM Yogi Adityanath ordered the deployment of Ashish Goyal, who served as Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj during Kumbh 2019, and Bhanu Goswami, a former Vice Chairman of ADA, to further strengthen the arrangements, according to an official statement.
The chief minister also said that the incumbent ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj must ensure the safe and smooth departure of every devotee.
"ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj must ensure the safe and smooth departure of every devotee. It is our responsibility to facilitate their journey. To achieve this, seamless coordination with the railways must be maintained to ensure continuous train operations," the CM said, as per PTI.
Five Special Secretary-level officers are being assigned to oversee operations, according to the government statement. Superintendent of Police-level officers will also be deployed for enhanced management and security, the statement said.
Thorough review ordered
The chief secretary and the director general of police have been directed to conduct a thorough review of the Maha Kumbh Mela arrangements on Thursday. "Every aspect related to security and public convenience must be carefully examined to ensure seamless arrangements for Basant Panchami," he said.
The CM said they will remain in Prayagraj until February 12 to assist in streamlining the arrangements.
Crowd monitoring, barricading
Continuous monitoring and precautionary measures must be ensured. Holding areas should be created at border points to regulate the crowd flow, allowing movement as per the situation, the chief minister instructed.
Yogi also emphasised that barricading should be used effectively, traffic management should be improved, and adequate parking arrangements must be in place. Arrangements for food and drinking water must be ensured at all holding areas so that no devotee faces any inconvenience, he said.
Traffic guidelines
Authorities in districts bordering Prayagraj must strictly enforce the directives issued from Prayagraj. Patrolling should be increased and traffic should flow smoothly on all major routes including Ayodhya-Prayagraj, Kanpur-Prayagraj, Fatehpur-Prayagraj, Lucknow-Pratapgarh-Prayagraj, and Varanasi-Prayagraj, according to the statement.
"All return routes from Prayagraj should remain open and unobstructed at all times," Adityanath said.
"Traffic must remain smooth within the Maha Kumbh Mela area. Unnecessary halts should be avoided, and crowd build-up must be prevented at all locations. There should be no traffic congestion on the roads. If street vendors are occupying pathways, they should be relocated to designated open areas to ensure the continuous flow of movement. No road should face a jam at any point," he added.
