Prayagraj: A tragic stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday, coinciding with the auspicious Mauni Amavasya, claimed the lives of at least 30 devotees and left 60 others injured. Crores of pilgrims had gathered at the Mela area to take a holy dip at the Sangam, but chaos erupted as barriers failed to control the surging crowd.
Immediate Government Response
In the aftermath, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a series of measures to prevent further mishaps:
- No-Vehicle Zone: Vehicles are strictly banned in the Mela area.
- Cancellation of VVIP Passes: Special passes allowing vehicle access have been revoked.
- One-Way Routes: A one-way traffic system has been implemented to manage the flow of devotees.
- Restricted Vehicle Entry: Cars from neighboring districts are being stopped at Prayagraj’s borders.
- Tighter Restrictions Till February 4: Entry of four-wheelers into the city has been prohibited until this date.
Deployment of Officials
IAS officials Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami, instrumental in managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, have been deployed to oversee crowd control alongside five special secretary-rank officers experienced in handling large events.
CM Yogi Adityanath’s Directives
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held an emergency video conference with top police and administrative officials. He instructed:
- Enhanced coordination with train and bus services to manage the rush.
- Removal of street vendors from highways to prevent traffic jams.
- Streamlined crowd management to avoid bottlenecks.
The CM also emphasized minimal restrictions on devotees’ movement within the Mela grounds and announced a three-member judicial inquiry panel led by Justice Harsh Kumar to investigate the incident.
Compensation for Victims
Families of the deceased will receive ₹25 lakh as compensation, while those injured are being provided medical care at nearby hospitals.
Looking Ahead
The state administration has intensified efforts to ensure the safe departure of devotees and the smooth continuation of the Maha Kumbh Mela, vowing that such incidents will not be repeated.
