Uttar Pradesh Government Introduces New Safety Protocols Following Mahakumbh Mela Tragedy

Prayagraj, Jan 31 (NationPress) Following the tragic loss of at least 30 lives in a predawn stampede during the Maha Kumbh, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a series of stringent measures aimed at enhancing crowd control and ensuring the safety of pilgrims. These measures include the prohibition of vehicle access, cancellation of VIP passes, an increase in security personnel, and the lifting of unnecessary restrictions on the pontoon bridges that facilitate movement in and out of the mela city.

Officials reported on Thursday that the Maha Kumbh area will remain a “no-vehicle zone” until February 4, just after the next “Amrit Snan” on Basant Panchami, when millions are expected to gather at the sacred confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna.

Previously, vehicles with approved passes had been allowed access to various camps set up at the Maha Kumbh site.

Furthermore, the government has prohibited the entry of four-wheelers and buses from outside Prayagraj until February 4.

“Vehicle passes will not be recognized until all pilgrims have safely departed,” stated Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Anshuman Mishra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the Kumbh on February 5.

Officials clarified that police and administration vehicles, ambulances, and essential service vehicles will not be subjected to these restrictions.

The administration has also eliminated nearly all VIP passes to streamline public entry. Previously, holders of VIP passes had special access to the tents of Akhadas and sadhus in various sectors.

“Consequently, VIPs and VVIPs planning to visit Prayagraj will not be afforded special privileges or protocols. The government has mandated that any VIP or VVIP movement must be communicated at least a week in advance to avoid last-minute visits that could disrupt arrangements for pilgrims,” an official statement indicated.

The stampede occurred on Wednesday when throngs of people broke through police barricades, rushing towards a narrow section of the riverbank at the Maha Kumbh. The tragedy unfolded between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. as millions of devotees scrambled to secure a place for the holy dip, overwhelming barriers and highlighting administrative shortcomings in preparation for the “Mauni Amavasya”, widely regarded as the most auspicious moment of the six-week festival.

Following the disaster, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed that such incidents are “heartbreaking and serve as a lesson.”

After reassessing the crowd dynamics in Prayagraj, the state government has deployed additional personnel throughout the city, as per officials familiar with the situation.

The Centre has also dispatched extra paramilitary forces, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Reserve Police Force (RPF), the Special Security Force (SSF), and the Border Security Force, following a request from the Yogi Adityanath government.

“In light of the anticipated influx of pilgrims, we are further strengthening police and security force deployments,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Maha Kumbh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna.

Officials noted that the devotees who gathered at the Sangam on Wednesday pushed towards the main bathing area instead of dispersing, which led to the stampede.

“We are considering implementing some changes now,” Krishna said, indicating that the festival area will be divided into additional sectors.

The section where the rivers converge will see an increase in security forces, and efforts will be made to reduce the waiting time for pilgrims in the bathing area, he added.

Witnesses to the Wednesday tragedy remarked that limited exit points exacerbated the situation, as the Sangam was overcrowded with pilgrims, leaving no room for individuals to turn back after their dip.

On Thursday, the state government instructed senior officials not to “unnecessarily” close pontoon bridges to facilitate smooth entry and exit for pilgrims, particularly on February 3, as reported by those familiar with the matter.

Pontoon bridges are temporary floating structures that connect the Sangam to the extensive “akhada” area.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar visited the Maha Kumbh Mela area on Thursday for a review.

The two officials first went to Jhusi and then to Sangam, gathering information about the stampede from District Magistrate (Mahakumbh Nagar) Vijay Kiran Anand.

On Thursday, approximately 20 million people participated in the holy bath at the Sangam until 8 p.m., as reported by the state government, with attendance at the Kumbh being comparatively lower.

A three-member judicial commission was established by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the stampede and is set to visit the incident site on Friday, with a report due within a month, according to panel head and former Allahabad High Court judge Harsh Kumar.

“Tomorrow (Friday), we will conduct an inspection of the site to analyze the potential causes and circumstances surrounding the incident. We will carefully assess all factors and are expected to submit our report within a month,” Kumar stated.

Former Director General of Police (DGP) VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh are the other members of the panel.