Yogi govt enforce strict measures following Maha Kumbh stampede that killed 30 in Prayagraj

Tragedy at Maha Kumbh prompts urgent action

A day after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj claimed 30 lives and left 60 others injured, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced strict measures to prevent further incidents. The tragedy occurred in the Sangam area during the early hours of Wednesday, when millions of pilgrims rushed to take a sacred dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, stated that pilgrims pushing against barricades to reach the river triggered the stampede, leading to a chaotic and tragic situation.

5 major changes to ensure safety

To enhance crowd control and prevent future accidents, the administration has implemented five key measures:

No-vehicle zone declared

Entry of all types of vehicles into the Maha Kumbh fair area is strictly prohibited.

VVIP passes canceled

No special passes will be issued for vehicle entry, ensuring uniform restrictions for all.

One-way routes enforced

A strict one-way traffic system has been implemented to streamline crowd movement.

Vehicle entry restricted at district borders

Vehicles coming from neighboring districts are stopped at Prayagraj’s borders to reduce congestion.

Restrictions until February 4

A complete ban on four-wheeler entry into the city until February 4 to maintain order and safety.

Senior officials deployed for crowd management

To reinforce crowd control efforts, the state government has deployed experienced officials:

• IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami have been assigned to Prayagraj for emergency crowd management.
• Five special secretary-rank officers, with prior experience in handling large-scale events, have been appointed to oversee Maha Kumbh operations.

Both Goyal and Goswami played crucial roles in managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, ensuring smooth operations during the last mega pilgrimage.

CM Yogi’s response

Following the stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued multiple directives focusing on:

• Crowd control
• Traffic management
• Inter-departmental coordination

Key decisions by the CM

• Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) assigned to review Maha Kumbh arrangements.
• ADG and District Magistrate directed to ensure a safe and smooth exit of devotees from Prayagraj.
• Late-night video conference were held with senior police officers from multiple districts, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mirzapur, Basti, Jaunpur, and Rae Bareli.

Enhanced crowd management at railway stations & borders

With large crowds gathering at railway stations to return home, the government has implemented additional crowd control measures:

• Close coordination with rail authorities to avoid overcrowding at stations.
• Deployment of additional buses by the Transport Corporation to accommodate the rush of pilgrims.
• Holding areas established at border points to regulate crowd flow into the fairgrounds.
• Provision of food, drinking water, and uninterrupted electricity at these holding areas.

Traffic monitoring has also been intensified on key routes leading to Prayagraj, including:

• Ayodhya
• Kanpur
• Fatehpur
• Lucknow
• Pratapgarh
• Varanasi

Judicial Commission to probe the stampede

A three-member judicial commission has been set up to investigate the cause of the stampede. The panel consists of:

• Justice Harsh Kumar (Retired Judge)
• V K Gupta (Former Director General)
• V K Singh (Retired IAS Officer)

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs.25 lakh for the families of the deceased.

The government’s swift response and strict new measures aim to prevent further mishaps at the ongoing Maha Kumbh, ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of pilgrims.

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