AGENCY
NEW DELHI, Feb 11
Before another significant snan date, extensive traffic restrictions have been put in place for the Mahakumbh, which include a complete ban on vehicular traffic from Tuesday.
The number of devotees headed towards Prayagraj shows no signs of abating. As per the latest figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, 44.74 crore people have so far visited the Mahakumbh.
By government’s own estimates, the total number of devotees it had expected during the entirety of the Mahakumbh which kicked off on February 13 was 40 crore. That number has already been surpassed while the Mahakumbh is on till February 26.
The hope that the number of devotees would ease after the amrit snans has been misplaced. Wednesday is another significant snan as it is the Maghi Poornima – the day of the full moon in the lunar month of Magh.
From 4am on February 11, the entire fair area has been declared a ‘No vehicle zone’, with permission only for emergency and essential vehicles. Only essential and emergency services will be allowed entry for the safety of devotees and smooth bathing. Even the movement of vehicles of kalpvasis – those who stay on the banks of the river for an extended period have been stopped.
All private and public vehicles of devotees coming to Prayagraj will be sent to the respective parking areas and devotees will be allowed to walk to the bathing ghats on foot.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aidtyanath has once again appealed to devotees to not insist on bathing at the sangam but instead bathe on the closest ghat. The bathing ghats are spread over 12 kilometres.
Many devotees coming for the specific reason of bathing at the Triveni – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati are miffed at being told to bathe at just any ghat.
However, the administration, in its bid to remain hyper-vigilant, has also declared the entire city of Prayagraj as a ‘No vehicle zone’ from 5pm on February 11. Only emergency services will be exempted from this ban. This special traffic plan will remain in force till the bathing is completed on February 12, to ensure the safe evacuation of devotees in the fair area.
