Mahakumbh is preparing for another massive Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami day on Monday, following the tragic stampede that marred the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya. Authorities estimate that over four crore pilgrims will take the holy dip, with roads leading to Sangam already swelling with crowds by Saturday evening.
With an extended weekend and a public holiday, officials anticipate a fresh surge of visitors starting Sunday. In response, security has been intensified, crowd management measures reinforced, and medical services strengthened to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
The Maha Kumbh, which commenced on January 13, will continue until February 26. The remaining significant snan dates include Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and Maha Shivaratri on February 26. The city has been witnessing a continuous influx of pilgrims since January 26, with the Mauni Amavasya Snan setting new records as nearly eight crore devotees took a dip in the Ganga. While the footfall slightly declined in the following days, officials now expect another massive turnout for the upcoming snan.
Many pilgrims began their bathing rituals on Sunday itself, as the Panchami tithi starts that day. Local vendors near the ghats have observed a sharp rise in footfall. Shyam Sundar Mishra, a vendor, remarked that the last few days were relatively quiet, but now the crowd is swelling again and they are prepared for a busy weekend.
In light of the tragic incidents during the Mauni Amavasya Snan, the government has significantly ramped up security and crowd management efforts. Senior officials, including former Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Ashish Goyal and former PDA Vice-Chairman and DM Bhanu Chandra Goswami, have been deployed alongside five special secretaries. On Saturday, five additional PCS-level officers were assigned to enhance supervision and coordination. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manoj Kumar Singh assured that past crowd movements have been analysed and improvements made to ensure better flow and safety so that no devotee faces difficulties.
To prevent overcrowding, authorities have identified 28 high-risk zones at Sangam, where police, RAF, and paramilitary personnel will be stationed. A senior official overseeing crowd management explained that these 28 locations were the most congested during Mauni Amavasya and Makar Sankranti, and teams will be stationed here to prevent stampedes and maintain order.
Special measures have also been introduced at the ghats. Devotees will be guided to leave the bathing areas immediately after their dip to prevent congestion. Security forces will ensure pilgrims follow designated entry and exit routes. Amit Tiwari, a devotee from Kanpur, shared his experience from Mauni Amavasya, saying that last time it was difficult to move because of the crowd, and he is glad to hear that authorities are making arrangements for better management.
Additionally, the Akhara Marg will be closed to general foot traffic to ensure the smooth movement of devotees. A police officer stationed at Sangam stated that the priority is to prevent bottlenecks, and pilgrims will be directed in a way that avoids crowding at any one spot.
With another massive gathering expected on Monday, health services in Mahakumbh Nagar have been further strengthened since Thursday. A total of 23 hospitals, equipped with 360 beds, have been set up to provide medical care to pilgrims ahead of the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan. A special team of senior medical officials, including Medical Nodal Officer Umakant Sanyal, Chief Medical Superintendent of Central Hospital Dr. Manoj Kaushik, Co-Nodal Medical Officer Dr. Ram Singh, and Mahakumbh Mela Nodal Medical Officer Dr. Gaurav Dubey, conducted an inspection to review ambulance deployment and emergency facilities, ensuring seamless healthcare services.
Dr. Gaurav Dubey stated that the Central Hospital and other medical units are functioning efficiently, providing immediate medical attention to pilgrims, from minor injuries to critical cases. He added that medical teams are responding to emergency calls within minutes, and all ambulance and health services remain fully operational, even in challenging conditions.
Despite the concerns over security and crowd management, pilgrims remain eager to participate in the holy ritual. Sunita Devi, who arrived from Bihar with her family, expressed her excitement, saying that they could not make it for Mauni Amavasya, but they are here now for Basant Panchami. She noted that the arrangements seem better, and they feel safe.
With enhanced security, improved crowd management, and unwavering devotion, authorities are hopeful that the Basant Panchami Snan will proceed smoothly, allowing millions of devotees to fulfill their spiritual aspirations in a safe and organised manner.
