Massive Preparations Underway for Magh Mela 2026
The holy city of Prayagraj is witnessing extensive preparations for the upcoming Magh Mela 2026, with multiple government departments working in coordination to ensure a seamless experience for millions of expected devotees. The administrative, railway, and transport departments have joined forces to create detailed plans covering land allocation, transportation, branding, safety measures, and uninterrupted civic services throughout the event period.
Structured Land Allocation Process
The Mela Authority has finalized the schedule for land distribution to religious institutions, with the process set to begin on December 2 with the traditional Ganga Puja ceremony. The allocation comes with strict conditions requiring institutions to establish their camps without delay before Maghi Purnima.
Land distribution will follow a precise timeline: saints from Dandinagar or Dandi Bada will receive their allocations from December 2 to 4, followed by groups from Acharya Nagar on December 5 and 6. Khakchauk saints will get their turn from December 7 to 9.
ADM Dayanand Prasad clarified that dates for issuing land and facility slips for all other institutions, except three specific categories, will be announced separately. Institutions have been specifically instructed not to demand facilities immediately after allotment, as facility slips will only be issued after a two-day waiting period.
Railway Branding and Enhanced Security
Following the successful model implemented during Maha Kumbh, Indian Railways will undertake extensive branding across stations from Subedarganj to Vindhyachal. A substantial budget of Rs 38.44 lakh has been allocated for thematic decorations that will include vibrant posters, banners, glow-signs, retro-reflective signage, and flex boards.
The branding initiative will transform station environments from entrances to ticket counters, concourses, waiting rooms, and circulating areas, creating an immersive Magh Mela visual identity throughout the railway network.
In a significant security measure, Indian Railways plans to suspend platform ticket sales on major bathing days to manage crowd control effectively. Only passengers with reserved or general tickets will be permitted entry inside station premises during these peak periods.
Infrastructure and Transportation Upgrades
District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has issued strict instructions to all departments to repair malfunctioning streetlights within one week. The electricity department has been directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply from December 15 to February 15, with special emphasis on nighttime reliability.
To enhance power supply reliability, the DM has ordered shifting the airport road power supply from a rural to an urban feeder. Multiple agencies, including the NHAI, have been instructed to improve signage installation along major routes, particularly from Handia to Kanpur.
In a groundbreaking transportation initiative, 275 shuttle buses will operate on major bathing days for the first time, significantly reducing walking distances for pilgrims. A total of 3,800 buses will be deployed during the Mela, with 200 buses reserved for flexible use within the district or on inter-district routes.
Temporary bus stands will be established at four key locations: Nehru Park (for Kanpur route), Bela Kachar (for Lucknow/Ayodhya routes), Leprosy area (for Rewa/Chitrakoot/Mirzapur routes), and Jhunsi (for Gorakhpur/Varanasi routes).
Strict Measures Against Defaulters
The administration has taken a firm stance against institutions that failed to return facilities during previous Kumbh and Magh Melas. These organizations have been categorized as defaulters and will not be granted land or amenities for the 2026 event.
SDM Vivek Shukla has mandated that all institutions must submit photographs and Aadhaar-based identification as part of the registration process, ensuring better accountability and management of resources throughout the mela period.
