Millions of people will gather at Ardhkumba Mela at the spiritual and cultural centre Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh (UP) from January 15. Minister for Agriculture, Agriculture Education and Agriculture Research, UP, Surya Pratap Shahi visited the State Capital to invite Governor Draupadi Murmu, Chief Minister, Raghubar Das alongwith Cabinet Ministers and all citizens of the State on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday Shahi said, “The UP government has estimated Rs. 4300 crore for the total arrangement of the fair as against Rs. 1400 crore spent by the previous State government. As it is world’s largest peaceful congregation, the Yogi Adityanath government has been trying to provide every single facility to the visitors. Representative from as many as 192 countries will visit the venue.”
Informing the preparation work of the UP government the Minister said, “This year, the area of fair will also increase from 1400 square hectare to 3100 square hectare. There will be a tent city at the venue where 1200 luxary tents will be installed. More than five thousand non-resident Indians will visit the fair besides millions of people from six lakh villages from across the country. The UP government has completed beautification of every part of the city. It has almost completed within one and half years all the infrastructural work of the city such as construction of roads, bridges, better facility of drinking water, electricity supply and truism development.”
Commenting on the special feature of the fare Sahi said, “First time in the history of Kumbh Mela the visitors will reach the city from all the three routes of conveyance such as Air, Water and Road routes. The UP government has completed construction of 1325 meter-long four lane flyover standing on only one pillar within one and half years and it is a record. One lane roads of high density area of the city has been converted in four lane roads to facilitate traffic congestions. To provide better light facility the government will install 40,000 LED lights at the venue.” First time after the 454 year the UP government has opened the holy Akshay Wat and Sarasawti Kup for the visitors at the venue, he added.
Elaborating other facilities the Minister said, “The railways will run a large numbers of special trains to facilitate pilgrim arriving during the Kumbha Mela. These trains are in addition to regular trains. To ensure representation of all cultural area of the country 30 thematic gate will be erected for the more than 200 cultural programmes such as laser show on cultural subjects, food court, vending zone, exhibitions and tourist walk.”
Speaking on the security arrangement of mega programme Shahi said, “To provide good security system the entire area will be covered under Integrated Control and Command Centre with CCTV cameras. Around 40,000 security persons will be deployed for the safety of untoward accidents like stampede.
The government will install more that 1,22,000 toilets ahead of the Kumbh Mela. The decision has been taken to spread the movement of ‘Swachh Bharat’ to the Kumbh Mela where hygiene is all the more important due to such a huge gathering of people.”