The tragedy took place on Wednesday as millions of pilgrims rushed to reach the waters for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days of the Kumbh Mela. A day after the stampede, which resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries in the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the state government has introduced strict measures to prevent further accidents. Among the key actions taken is the declaration of the entire fair area as a No-Vehicle Zone.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, explained that the stampede was caused when pilgrims began pushing against the barricades in their efforts to reach the sacred waters.
Here are the main changes:
- The entire Maha Kumbh fair area has been declared a strict no-vehicle zone, prohibiting entry for all types of vehicles.
- VVIP passes have been canceled, meaning no vehicles will be allowed, even with special passes.
- A one-way traffic system has been introduced to manage the flow of devotees efficiently.
- Vehicles from neighboring districts are being stopped at the borders to minimize congestion.
- Four-wheelers are completely banned from entering the city until February 4 to maintain order.
Chief Minister’s Response:
After the stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued several guidelines to improve crowd control, traffic management, and coordination between departments. He instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to review the arrangements for the Maha Kumbh.
The ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj were also told to ensure the safe and smooth departure of all pilgrims from the city. In a late-night video conference, the Chief Minister spoke with senior police officers and officials from multiple districts, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and others.
Crowd Management Measures:
As many devotees gathered at Prayagraj’s railway stations to head home, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed officials to work closely with railway authorities. The Transport Corporation was told to provide extra buses to handle the crowd.
To manage the pressure in the fair area, holding zones have been set up at border points, where pilgrims will be allowed to move forward only when it’s safe. The state government assured that these areas will have enough food, water, and continuous electricity.
Increased patrolling and smoother traffic flow have been ordered on main roads leading to Prayagraj, including those from Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
