Prayagraj Gears Up for Historic Pilgrim Influx on Mauni Amavasya
The city of Prayagraj is witnessing unprecedented preparations as authorities anticipate a staggering crowd of 3.5 to 4 crore pilgrims for Mauni Amavasya. This day marks the largest bathing festival during the 45-day Magh Mela. Officials confirm this estimate represents a massive surge from the over 1 crore devotees who gathered for Makar Sankranti earlier.
Administration Implements Stringent Crowd Control Measures
Mela Adhikari Rishiraj reports that lakhs of devotees have already arrived in Prayagraj. Many plan to stay until Mauni Amavasya. He notes that nearly 30 lakh people reached the site a day before Makar Sankranti. This number hints at the enormous scale expected on January 18.
On the eve of Mauni Amavasya, all roads leading to Sangam overflowed with devotees. People of all ages walked steadily toward the mela area. They carried luggage on their heads, demonstrating deep devotion.
To manage the huge turnout, the administration has constructed a new 600-foot-long ghat near the Kali pontoon bridge. They have also divided the entire mela area into three major administrative zones. This zoning aims to improve crowd regulation significantly.
Detailed Zonal Restrictions and Traffic Plans
Under the new zonal plan, devotees approaching from Jhunsi and Arail sides cannot move toward Sangam from other sectors. They must remain within their designated zones. This measure prevents overcrowding at critical points.
Considering the anticipated rush, authorities have declared the entire mela zone a no-vehicle area. Entry of heavy and light vehicles at Prayagraj borders is banned from midnight on January 17 until midnight on January 19. Only administrative and medical vehicles receive permission during this period. Akshayvat darshan remains suspended temporarily.
The administration urges devotees to use designated parking lots and pedestrian routes. They warn that restrictions may extend if crowd pressure continues. Vehicles arriving from Prayagraj city and from Kanpur-Lucknow, Jaunpur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Rewa sides must park at specified sites.
A one-way traffic system will operate on pontoon bridges. For movement from Parade Ground toward Jhunsi, bridges number 3, 5, and 7 will be used. Bridges 4 and 6 will facilitate return from Jhunsi to Parade. Pontoon bridges 1 and 2 stay reserved for emergency situations.
Auspicious Timing and Safety Directives
Scholars from the Department of Astrology at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi indicate Mauni Amavasya will feature an auspicious period of 25 hours and 15 minutes. It begins at 12:04 am on the night of January 17 and continues until 1:22 am on January 19. The Amavasya yoga prevails even after midnight. The muhurat for bathing and meditation remains valid until 2:48 am on January 19.
Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal directs officials to ensure seamless coordination. She asks officers, especially first-timers, to familiarize themselves with duty charts. Agarwal emphasizes that pilgrims should not linger on the ghats after taking the holy dip.
Police officials receive instructions to ensure entry and exit only through designated routes. This prevents opposing crowds from confronting each other. Beggars will not get permission near the ghats. People applying tilak will be restricted to earmarked places.
Enhanced Monitoring and Emergency Preparedness
Revenue department employees join the effort this year. They will monitor movement between two poles to prevent crowd accumulation at any single point. Key personnel now carry satellite phones to maintain seamless communication.
Agarwal stresses that deep water barricading must undergo checks by Saturday itself. She prohibits cooking near the ghats strictly. Fire safety in camps must be ensured. Emergency teams should respond without delay to any alert.
She also highlights continuous coordination with railways and roadways. This ensures timely train announcements and avoids abrupt platform changes.
Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar and SP Mela Neeraj Pandey inspected preparations throughout Saturday. Their oversight aims to guarantee smooth operations during the festival.
