Yogi govt gears up to complete projects worth over Rs 2,000 cr for Mahakumbh 2025
Oct 17, 2023
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 17 : Following the directive of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is leaving no stones unturned to make Mahakumbh 2025 a divine, grand and well-organized event.
As per his instructions, the process of completing tasks related to Mahakumbh 2025 has been initiated on a war footing, according to an official statement from the UP government.
Notably, projects worth more than Rs 2,000 crore related to road infrastructure, bridges, electricity and the expansion and management of the fairground are being expedited. Additionally, a review process of 260 approved projects from various departments, with a total cost of Rs 3,738 crore has also begun.
Mahakumbh 2025 will take place for 45 days from January 13 to February 26. During this period, it is expected that more than 6 crore pilgrims will attend the mela. Besides, about 40 lakh devotees are likely to participate in the Shahi Snans, and an additional 40 lakh can opt for Kalpwasis.
To accommodate the massive influx of visitors, the Yogi government has already started preparations. Targeting cleanliness, adequate availability of sanitation workers will be made available in the Maha Kumbh Mela. Additionally, digital museums will be set up while surveillance of the fairgrounds will be managed with the help of ICCC, IT and drone technologies. Moreover, security will be tightened.
The state government is focusing on timely completion of the construction of ropeway, Pipa bridge, bridges etc. and making adequate arrangements for the stay of common devotees along with VIPs. This is why a review process has begun for all these high-priority tasks to ensure they are completed on schedule.
Urban Development Minister AK Sharma reviewed 260 projects approved so far by various departments at a cost of about Rs 3738 crore. In a review meeting on Tuesday, he instructed officials to continually monitor the progress of these projects. He emphasized the need for fundamental facilities like drinking water, toilets, electricity supply, and parking.
He also directed authorities to address issues like road congestion and beautification. He emphasized the importance of coordinating with local residents and public representatives and to take actions on their suggestions to make Mahakumbh successful.
The appointed Meladhikari for Mahakumbh 2025, Vijay Kiran Anand, said that more pilgrimed were expected to attend Mahakumbh 2025 compared to the previous Kumbh. Therefore, the fairground will be expanded to cover an area of up to 4,000 hectares and divided into 25 sectors. Approximately 1,800 hectares will be allocated for parking. Additionally, there will be a 13-kilometer long 7 riverfront roads, development of a green belt, arrangements for drinking water, toilets, electricity supply, and vending zones, he informed.
The seven ghats funded by the National Clean Ganga Mission are being developed including Saraswati Ghat, Kila Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Naukayan Ghat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat, Maheva Ghat, and Rasula Ghat. Under this, facilities such as changing rooms, drinking water supply, electricity, parking, gates, signage, benches, waste disposal, green belts, and toilets are being constructed.
To facilitate the arrival and departure of pilgrims, bus terminals, railway stations, and the airport are being expanded and beautified. Within the fairground, arrangements are being made for 1,000 shuttle buses for pilgrims, along with electric buses. Twelve temporary bus stands will be set up to operate these buses.
Under the projects being implemented by the Municipal Corporation, a bio-CNG plant of 200 metric ton capacity, 15 metric ton capacity bio-gas plant and 150 metric ton capacity MRF plant will be established for 100 percent disposal of waste. To ensure lighting in the fair ground, lighting work will also be done on the main entry road, park, road to temples, bus station, railway station and the roads connecting to the airport. In view of green energy, solar lights and solar parks are being established in 100 parks and solar-powered water kiosks are being established at 4 places in the fair ground.
Furthermore, in a virtual meeting organized to review the preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant reviewed the work being done for Mahakumbh 2025. In this meeting, special attention was given to the works being carried out by the National Highway Authority of India on the Prayagraj-Raebareli road, various bridges being constructed by the Setu Nigam, including the proposed Additional Flower and Subedarganj bridges, and the expansion-related works at Prayagraj Airport Authority. The focus was on ensuring that these projects are completed on time.
In this context, Additional Director General of Police Bhanu Bhaskar requested to deploy Kumbh Mela police officer before Magh Mela.