Prayagraj Ramps Up Security for Mauni Amavasya with Innovative Pole-to-Pole Model
In a major move to ensure safety during Mauni Amavasya, the mela police in Prayagraj rolled out a comprehensive pole-to-pole security model on Saturday. This Sunday marks the most auspicious bathing day of the Magh Mela, with authorities anticipating a massive turnout of three to four crore devotees at the sacred Sangam confluence.
Unprecedented Security Measures Deployed
Senior Superintendent of Police for the Magh Mela, Neeraj Pandey, explained the new strategy. He stated that security personnel have been assigned duties between every two electric poles in the Sangam area to manage the intense crowd pressure effectively. This meticulous approach aims to cover every inch of the ground.
More than six hundred police officers are stationed solely in the Sangam nose area. Across the entire mela campus, over fifteen thousand cops are on duty. Additionally, twelve joint teams comprising jal police, the National Disaster Response Force, and the Provincial Armed Constabulary flood control units are maintaining a vigilant watch on the sixteen main ghats.
Advanced Technology and Emergency Services
The security setup leverages modern technology extensively. A network of one thousand five hundred twenty-four CCTV cameras installed throughout the mela and city areas provides continuous surveillance. Drones are also being used to monitor the crowd from above, offering real-time insights.
For the first time, the Fort gate will remain open to facilitate swift ambulance access during emergencies. In another first for the Magh Mela, two water ambulances have been deployed to handle any water-related incidents. To further enhance safety, boat operations will be completely suspended on Sunday.
Massive Devotee Influx and Crowd Management
Devotees began gathering in large numbers from Saturday morning itself, eager to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam on this auspicious occasion. Mela Adhikari Rishiraj reported that by Saturday afternoon, more than one point five crore people had already bathed at the confluence.
To accommodate the huge influx, twenty-four ghats spanning eight kilometers were constructed in the mela area. Arrangements were made to allow devotees to bathe at nearby ghats conveniently. A zone system is being implemented to manage the crowd continuously. Devotees will be directed to bathe in the sector they arrive from and then exit through designated routes.
Traffic restrictions are also in place. Two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles will not be permitted beyond the parking areas at forty-two specified locations.
Significance of Mauni Amavasya
Noted religious scholar Dr. Amitabh Gour highlighted the spiritual importance of the day. He mentioned that Mauni Amavasya involves a tradition of bathing in holy rivers while maintaining silence. Performing prayers, penance, and bathing in silence is believed to lead to the attainment of all kinds of blessings.
The combined efforts of the mela police and administration aim to ensure that this sacred event proceeds smoothly and safely for all participants.
