The Uttar Pradesh Government is gearing up to hold the world’s largest spiritual gathering – the Grand and Divine ‘Kumbh Mela 2019’ starting shortly at Prayagraj. The massive number of 150 million people from over six lakh villages of India and tourist from across the world are expected to visit Prayagraj. Apart from this, the representatives of 192 countries will be visiting Kumbh in the month of February, whereas the Ambassadors of 71 countries have already witnessed the preparations for this grand event. The previous Kumbh registered a footfall of over 120 million; however the number of visitors expected this year is more than the population of over 100 countries combined.
The state government has earmarked an amount of Rs. 2800 crore for Kumbh Mela 2019 along with the various projects of stable development. Besides, works of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj with a total amount of Rs. 4300 crore from other budget.
Mainly the Kumbh is organised at Triveni Sangam but it is so huge that it covers the entire Prayagraj area. Keeping this in view, the state government has beautified and developed unprecedented basic amenities and modern facilities for the convenience of visitors at all the places directly or indirectly linked to the Kumbh. The facilities include holy bath, housing, meals, tours and medical aid etc.
To provide world class facilities to the high-end tourist, a premium tent city which has 250 kms long roads and 22 pontoon bridges has been developed in the Kumbh Mela area. It will be the largest temporary city of the world. For the first time the Mela area is being brightened up by installing over 40, 000 LED lights.
To ensure the continuity of development process, the state government has constituted Prayagraj Mela Authority. As informed by Suresh Rana, State Minister for Sugarcane Development, Mills and Industrial Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of the Chief Minister Yogi Aditayanath, the state government has come up with unprecedented arrangements to make it convenience to the devotees coming to take a holy dip at the Prayagraj Kumbh 2019.
The state government is endeavouring to provide a devotionally and spiritually changed atmosphere to pilgrims coming to Kumbh. Under the Kumbh related works, 671 people welfare projects have been completed during the last one and half years. The various projects of basic infrastructural facilities such as roads, bridges, drinking water, electricity improvements have been done in a time bound manner.
Elaborating on the arrangements, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Tourism & Religious Affairs, Government of Uttar Pradesh said that the state government is laying special emphasis on cleanliness during the Prayagraj Kumbh 2019. “This time, 1, 22,000 toilets and 20, 000 dustbins have been constructed and placed in the Mela area, besides deploying 140 tippers and 40 compactors for ensuring solid waste management.” He informed that for the convenience of devotees visiting the Kumbh, Prayagraj has been connected by air, road and river for the first time.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PRAYAGRAJ KUMBH 2019
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For the first time in the last 450 years, the devotees coming to the Kumbh Mela will have an opportunity to pray at ‘Akshay Vat’ and ‘Sarasvati Koop’.
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For the first time, Prayagraj has been connected through air to the cities such as Bengaluru, Indore, Nagpur, Patna etc. A heliport is also being set up and arrangements are being made to provide the helicopter joy ride to the tourist.
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For the first time, the Kumbh Mela area has been brought under the surveillance of Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV cameras. CCTV cameras will not only keep a close watch on safety and security but also watch the cleanliness arrangements.
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For the first time, Indian Inland Waterways Authority has set up 05 jetties in the Mela area. These jetties have facilitated operation of large cruises and motor boats in Prayagraj.
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For the first time in Kumbh Mela arrangements are being made to set up Ganga Pandal with a capacity of 10,000 persons, Pravachan Pandal with a capacity of 1,000 and 04 Cultural Pavilions, where cultural programmes will be staged continuously. Besides arrangements of Yatri Nivas are being made for the first time for stay of 20, 000 common devotees.
