The members of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad reviewed preparations of Mahakumbh 2021 at the premises of Juna Akhada on Thursday. The saints unanimously passed a resolution, saying that the preparations must begin from now for the mega religious congregation. A delegation of the seer community met the Chief Minister over the same on Thursday.
Addressing the Akhada members, the president of the apex body of different sects of the sadhus, Narendra Giri said that the State Government must now start the infrastructural works of permanent nature like building ring roads, six- lane highways, tunnels and bridges for Mahakumbh 2021 to ensure a hassle free pilgrimage of the people.
In another important move, Akhada Parishad asked the Government to see to it that all the developmental works to be undertaken for the Mahakumbh 2021 is executed under aegis of the parishad.
The payment to the contractors by the Government must be made in the presence of the Akhada Parishad office bearers, Giri said, adding that this is meant to check the mis-utilisation of the funds meant for Kumbh melas and also to ensure quality of works.
Giri further said that for the propagation of the mega congregation, the State Government must start advertising in the country as well as abroad to make sure that the congregation sees optimum footfalls.
“This would help India spread her rich culture and traditions across the world,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of the State Government to arrange food and lodging facilities for at least 40,000 people.
“Besides, the Government must provide free transport facilities to the poor section of the people to help them attend the Kumbh mela in maximum number. Free transport from the bus stands and railway stations was given to the people during the Ujjain Kumbh mela. The same should happen here too,” he said.
Giri said that a map has been made while they discussed things with the State urban development Minister Madan Kaushik. “This must be given shape at the earliest,” he added.
Expressing anguish over the Akhadas minting money during the mela, he said that the practice of providing modern facilities to the rich in the ashrams in lieu of huge amounts of money should be checked this time. The akhada members also resented the previous Congress-helmed Government’s order of declaring Ganga at Har Ki Pauri as an escape channel and not as the main Ganga river.
The national secretary of the council, Mahant Hari Giri said that the preparations for the Haridwar Mahakumbh must be made on the lines of the preparations made for the Allahabad Mahakumbh. He also urged the members to do everything to free Haridwar of garbage in sync with the cleanliness campaign being led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The upcoming Kumbh mela should be celebrated in the form of Swach Kumbh, said the seer.