Over 10 crore pilgrims expected to visit Kumbh Mela this year

BHUBANESWR: More than 10 crore pilgrims are expected to visit Kumbh Mela starting at Prayagraj  (formerly Allahabd) in Uttar Pradesh from January 15, and the Uttar Pradesh government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure their security and smooth conduct of the mega event, said UP Minister for Sports and Youth Affair at a press conference here today.

Addressing reporters, Chauhan said representatives of 192 countries are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela. “Ambassadors of about 71 countries had witnessed the preparations for this grand event. Over 5,000 NRIs are likely to visit the Kumbh,” he added.

Chauhan is on a visit to Odisha to invite Odisha Governor, Chief Minister and the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Puri to visit the Prayagraj Kumbh-2019.

A temporary township spread over 3200 hectares has been set up to accommodate the pilgrims and visitors. As many as 5200 camps and cottages have been set up for the convenience of the devotees and tourists, the Minister said.

“To ensure participation of people from all states, the Uttar Pradesh government is making efforts to bring people from every state in the Prayagraj Kumbh-2019,” Chauhan said.

The Uttar Pradesh Government will be spending Rs 4300 crore for the mega event.

The UP government is making efforts to realize the concept of making the Kumbh event a representative of India’s ‘Sanatan’ and inclusive culture, said Chauhan.

The Minister further said that for the first time, two integrated control and command centres have been formed to ensure law and order in the city.

“The Kumbh Mela area has been brought under surveillance of these centres and CCTV cameras. The system will facilitate controlling and keeping safe the traffic movement and the crowd coming to the mela,” he said.

He said 1,400 CCTV cameras will not only keep an eye on safety and security of pilgrims but also monitor the cleanliness arrangements.

Touted as the biggest cultural and religious event in the world, the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj has been accorded the status of world heritage by the UNESCO.

The event, which will conclude on March 4, has been included in the list of ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’.