The holy city of Prayagraj is currently witnessing an unprecedented influx of devotees as the sacred occasion of Maghi Purnima approaches. This day, which falls on Wednesday, marks the conclusion of the Kalpvas period, a significant tradition of the Mahakumbh Mela that began on January 13. To ensure the safety and convenience of the millions of pilgrims expected to take a holy dip in the Sangam, the Prayagraj administration has rolled out a comprehensive traffic and safety plan, designating the entire Mahakumbh area as a 'no vehicle zone.'
In preparation for the massive gathering, the fair area has been declared a 'no vehicle zone' from 4 am on Tuesday, February 11, until the conclusion of the bathing rituals on Wednesday. This measure aims to prevent traffic congestion and ensure the safety of devotees. However, essential and emergency services will be exempt from this restriction. Additionally, the 'no vehicle zone' will extend to Prayagraj city starting from 5 pm on Tuesday, with similar exemptions for emergency and essential services.
To facilitate smooth movement, the administration has designated parking lots for both public and private vehicles. Devotees are encouraged to park their vehicles in these lots and proceed to the bathing ghats on foot. This step is expected to minimize traffic chaos and ensure that pilgrims can reach the Sangam without hassle.
The restrictions on vehicle entry and exit in Prayagraj city and the mela area will also apply to the vehicles of Kalpvasis, the devotees who have been observing the month-long Kalpvas ritual. The administration has urged all Kalpvasis to adhere to the rules and use only the authorized parking lots. This measure is crucial to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
In case of any emergency, the administration has devised a special traffic plan to ensure the safe evacuation of devotees from the mela area. This plan will remain in effect until the completion of the bathing rituals on Wednesday. The administration has also coordinated with local authorities and emergency services to handle any unforeseen situations efficiently.
Recognizing the potential disruptions caused by the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has taken proactive steps to minimize inconvenience for local residents. All secondary schools under various educational boards in Prayagraj have suspended physical classes from February 7 to February 12, shifting to online mode to avoid traffic-related issues for students and staff.
Despite these measures, the sheer volume of devotees has led to significant traffic congestion in and around Prayagraj. On Monday, thousands of pilgrims traveling to the city for the Kumbh Mela faced massive traffic jams stretching up to 300 kilometers. Since Sunday, the roads have been so packed that what would normally be a 20-minute journey has taken several hours. The situation has been exacerbated to the extent that neighboring Madhya Pradesh had to close its roads leading to Prayagraj. The highway connecting Rewa to Katni, Maihar, and Jabalpur has been shut, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed authorities to assist those stranded in the traffic.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar acknowledged the challenges posed by the Mahakumbh Mela, stating that delays in traffic movement are inevitable due to the sheer number of devotees. He emphasized that the Mahakumbh is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history, with over 40 crore pilgrims having already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam. Millions more are arriving each day, making the management of people and vehicles an unparalleled challenge.
DGP Kumar noted that no city, administration, or police force in the world has ever encountered a logistical challenge of this magnitude. The administration is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and convenience of all devotees, but the scale of the event makes delays and congestion unavoidable.
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