Prayagraj: In anticipation of the massive influx of devotees for Maghi Purnima, one of the six significant bathing days at the Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj authorities have implemented stringent traffic restrictions. With crores of pilgrims expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam, officials have imposed movement curbs across the city to prevent overcrowding. The measures follow a tragic stampede on January 29, which claimed at least 30 lives.
The fairground has been declared a no-vehicle zone since 4 AM on Tuesday, aiming to control the rising crowd. From 5 PM onward, these restrictions will extend across the entire city, with designated parking areas allocated for pilgrims arriving from outside. The traffic curbs will remain in place until the orderly dispersal of devotees on Wednesday. Essential and emergency services have been exempted from these restrictions.
The regulations will also apply to Kalpvasis, who traditionally reside near the Sangam for a fixed duration.
On Monday night, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with police and civic officials to evaluate the preparations for Maghi Purnima. Emphasizing the need for a well-coordinated traffic and crowd management plan, he instructed authorities to utilize the full parking capacity of over 5 lakh vehicles.
"There should be no long queues of vehicles on roads. Traffic congestion must be avoided at all costs," he directed.
Stampede Sparks Investigation
The traffic advisory comes in the wake of the tragic stampede on Mauni Amavasya during the second Shahi Snan (holy bath) on January 29. Official reports confirmed at least 30 fatalities and over 60 injuries.
Footage from just before the incident showed barricades set up along the road to control pedestrian movement. However, as the crowd swelled, devotees pushed through the barricades, triggering a chaotic rush.
A three-member judicial panel has been formed to investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster. The commission, comprising Justice Harsh Kumar, former Director General VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer VK Singh, has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a month.
In addition to the probe, Chief Minister Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased.
Maha Kumbh Attendance Soars
The Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, commenced on January 13 and will conclude on February 26. As of February 10, official figures indicate that over 44.74 crore devotees have participated in the event, making it one of the most attended religious congregations in history.
