Maha Kumbh: Prayagraj to turn into 'no vehicle zone' ahead of Maghi Purnima bath

Lucknow: Even as thousands of devotees were still stuck in the massive jam at the Maha Kumbh, the authorities were gearing for the fourth important ‘snan’ (bathing) on the occasion of ‘Maghi Purnima’ on Wednesday during which millions of devotees were expected to take holy dip in the Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarswati rivers) in Prayagraj.

The police had issued an advisory to manage the huge crowds of devotees which would remain in force till Thursday morning.

The entire Prayagraj town has been declared ‘no vehicle zone’ with only medical and administrative vehicles being allowed in the zone. Holding areas have been set up to prevent crowd build up near the Sangam. All VVIP passes have been cancelled.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the arrangements and the preparations for the ‘Maghi Purnima’ bathing and directed officials to implement a better crowd management plan.

‘’The number of devotees arriving at the Maha Kumbh has increased sharply....it is likely to increase further on Maghi Purnima,’’ he said.

Sources said that the chief minister expressed his serious displeasure over the prevailing traffic chaos at the Maha Kumbh and the Prayagraj town and the problems it has created for the devotees.

Senior officials from the neighbouring districts have also been rushed to Prayagraj to ease the jam. After days of massive traffic jam, the situation eased a little on Tuesday, according to the reports.

There was a shortage of essential commodities in the town as the entry of heavy vehicles was banned following the jam. The opposition leaders came down heavily upon the state government for what they termed ‘mismanagement’ at the Maha Kumbh.