In order to expedite works related to the Kumbh Mela, the full time Mela officer and Mela police officer will be appointed soon. Approvals will also be granted soon to the permanent works for the Kumbh Mela, said the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The chief minister said this while chairing a meeting along with the Urban Development and Housing minister Madan Kaushik to review preparations for the Kumbh Mela to be held in Haridwar in 2021.
Addressing the officials, the chief minister stressed that all permanent works should be completed by October 2020. Focus should be laid on ensuring quality and transparency in the works. Special focus should also be laid on using modern technology for crowd control to make the Kumbh a convenient experience. Attention should also be given to facilities for elderly devotees. Rawat further said that the suggestions of the public should be invited for logo and slogan for the Kumbh Mela and provision should also be made for a cash award for the winning entries. He also directed officials to ensure well-planned measures for health facility, potable water, toilets, sanitation and other aspects in the Kumbh area. A high level committee will also be formed for consistent monitoring of the works and ensuring proper organisation of the Kumbh Mela. The district magistrate, police officials and railway officials should work in coordination and draft an action plan. Special focus should be laid on ensuring that there is no encroachment on Bairagi camp and other parking spaces. Rawat stressed on the need for expanding bathing ghats in the Mela area while adding that proper care should be taken of the Akhadas.
The Urban Development and Housing minister Madan Kaushik said that on special occasions, crores of people come to Haridwar for bathing in the Ganga. Considering this, the expansion of the bathing ghats is very important. The ghats from Jatwada bridge to Har ki Paidi need to be extended while efforts are also needed to keep the hill bypass open during the Mela. The location for the medical camp should be identified in advance, he added.
The director general of police, Anil Raturi informed that more than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed in the Kumbh Mela. Special plans will be made for preventing fire and stampede. Considering the crores of people who arrive in the Kumbh Mela, all possible efforts will be made for crowd management and security.
The Haridwar district magistrate and Mela officer Deepak Rawat informed that for crowd control during the Kumbh Mela, 27 kilometre railway track is to be doubled of which work on 17 kilometres has been completed. Expediting the national highway work will make it more convenient for devotees in the Kumbh Mela. He also gave a detailed presentation on the requirements and works related to the Kumbh Mela.
Additional chief secretary Om Prakash, principal secretary Anand Bardhan, secretaries Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, Shailesh Bagauli, Arvind Singh Hyanki, Garhwal commissioner BVRC Purushottam and IG Sanjay Gunjyal among other officials concerned were also present in the meeting.
