Lucknow, 27 July: Nearly, 40 crore pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in 2025, up from 25 crore in 2019. The 2013 Maha Kumbh took up 1,600 hectares, which rose to 3,200 hectares in 2019. The gathering will cover 5,000 hectares by 2025.
“Maha Kumbh will be divided into 25 sectors, with police stations in each sector,” Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand informed reporters.
‘There will also be about 100 police outposts. In comparison, 2019 was divided among 20 sectors. Similarly, the number of pontoon bridges will increase by 2025. Authorities built 22 pontoon bridges across the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in 2019, with a total of 27 planned by 2025, according to Anand.
Each of the mela’s 25 sections will have its own fire station. Officials further stated that devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh will have a 10-kilometer stretch to wash on during the 44-day mela. There will also be various parking lots located across the city and near the Mela.
“Arrangements will be made near the mela area as well as on the outskirts of the city to accommodate approximately four lakh vehicles per day,” the source added.
Similarly, the huge mela region would have various access and departure points. “There will be theme-based gates for different sectors and areas of Mela so that anyone who wants to meet their relative or someone else can inform about their whereabouts based on the theme of the respective gate.”
Paush Purnima (January 13) will be followed by Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and Maha Shivratri on February 26. The country’s 13 Akharas will have three Shahi Snan (royal bathing days) on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
