After assuming charge as Kumbh Mela officer on Wednesday, Deepak Rawat said that safe and magnificent Kumbh Mela was his priority as Mela officer. He said that the carry home experience of millions of pilgrims who come in the mega event must be an image of an event that is clean, magnificent and first of its kind. Some unique and first time events shall be introduced, said Rawat.
He said that laser show and colour coding are being planned for beautification. All the stakeholders have been invited to give their suggestions. Various organisations, Akhadas and common people will be asked to give logo designs for the mela. Mythological murals shall be made on different crossings. The State authorities are expecting 15 crore people in the Kumbh Mela.
Speaking to this correspondent on Kumbh Mela area extension, Rawat said, out of 132 square kilometre area, some 155 hectares is used for allotments. The area shall be extended towards Kangri village since tent colony and space for events shall be needed. Encroachment by people and irrigation department shall be removed. For better crowd management, field inspection has been done for making Motichoor, Jwalapur and Laksar as satellite stations so that trains halt on these places instead of Haridwar city. The railway stations at these locations need to be modernised for which work is on, said Rawat.
He acknowledged that drains emptying in the Ganga river are a major challenge which shall be met before the Mela begins because it was a question of faith of the pilgrims. He said four permanent bridges will be made connecting Bairagi camp from Dakshdweep to Matri Sadan. A bridge parallel to Chandi Ghat bridge leading to national highway is also proposed.