In the wake of a tragic stampede that claimed 30 lives and left 60 injured during the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out stringent crowd-control measures to prevent further mishaps. The stampede occurred on Wednesday, Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela, as millions of pilgrims rushed to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Sangam.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Mahakumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, stated that the stampede was triggered by pilgrims pushing against barricades in their eagerness to reach the river. In response, the state government has introduced five key changes to ensure better crowd management and safety:
- No-Vehicle Zone: The entire Mahakumbh area has been declared a no-vehicle zone, with strict prohibitions on all types of vehicles.
- VVIP Passes Cancelled: Special passes for VVIPs have been revoked to streamline crowd movement and reduce congestion.
- One-Way Routes: A one-way traffic system has been implemented to manage the flow of devotees more effectively.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Vehicles from neighboring districts are being stopped at district borders to minimize traffic within Prayagraj.
- Ban on Four-Wheelers: The entry of four-wheelers into the city has been completely banned until February 4.
Additionally, the state government has deployed IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami to Prayagraj to bolster crowd management efforts. Both officers played a crucial role in managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh successfully.
The stampede, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, has left the nation in shock. DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that 25 of the 30 deceased have been identified, with victims hailing from states like Karnataka, Assam, and Gujarat. Thirty-six injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at a local medical college.