A day after a tragic stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced stringent measures to prevent further incidents. The administration has implemented five major changes, including designating the entire fair area as a No-Vehicle Zone.
Cause of the Stampede
The disaster occurred early Wednesday morning when millions of pilgrims attempted to reach the holy waters for a sacred dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, the stampede was triggered by pilgrims pushing against barricades in their eagerness to perform the ritual.
5 Key Changes Implemented
Complete No-Vehicle Zone: Entry of all types of vehicles is now strictly prohibited in the Maha Kumbh fair area.
VVIP Passes Canceled: No special passes will be issued to allow vehicle entry, ensuring there are no exceptions.
One-Way Routes Implemented: A one-way traffic system has been enforced to streamline the movement of devotees.
Vehicle Entry Restricted: Vehicles arriving from neighboring districts are being stopped at district borders to reduce congestion.
Strict Restrictions Until February 4: Entry of four-wheelers into the city is completely banned until this date to maintain order.
Reinforcement of Crowd Management
To further strengthen crowd management efforts, IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami have been dispatched to Prayagraj. Both played a key role in successfully managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh along with Vijay Kiran. Additionally, five special secretary-rank officers with prior experience in large-scale event management have been assigned to assist with Maha Kumbh operations.
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Following the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued multiple guidelines focusing on crowd control, traffic management, and inter-departmental coordination. The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) have been directed to review all Maha Kumbh arrangements.
The ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj have been tasked with ensuring a safe and smooth departure for all devotees. In a late-night video conference, Adityanath addressed senior police officers and officials from multiple districts, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mirzapur, Basti, Jaunpur, and Rae Bareli, among others.
Enhanced Crowd Control Measures
Given the high number of devotees at railway stations preparing to return home, Adityanath instructed officials to coordinate closely with railway authorities. Additional buses have been deployed by the Transport Corporation to accommodate the rush.
Holding areas have been set up at border points to manage crowd pressure within the fairgrounds. Devotees will be permitted to proceed only when conditions allow. These areas will have sufficient provisions, including food, drinking water, and uninterrupted electricity, as assured by the state government.
Judicial Inquiry Commission Appointed
A three-member judicial commission has been established to investigate the causes of the stampede. The panel consists of Justice Harsh Kumar, Former Director General VK Gupta and Retired IAS officer VK Singh.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede.
As the situation develops, authorities remain on high alert to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims participating in the Maha Kumbh.
