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Entry Ban on Four-Wheelers, VVIP Passes Canceled: Uttar Pradesh Enforces Stringent Measures after Maha Kumbh Stampede that Claimed 30 Lives
A day after a stampede claimed 30 lives and left 60 others injured at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced stringent measures to prevent any further untoward incidents. The stampede occurred on Wednesday at the Sangam Ghat area, as thousands of pilgrims gathered for a sacred dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela. The chaos was reportedly triggered by pilgrims pushing against barricades in an attempt to reach the holy waters.
In response to the tragedy, the state administration has implemented five key changes to improve crowd control and safety:
1. Complete No-Vehicle Zone: All types of vehicles are now strictly prohibited from entering the Maha Kumbh fair area.
2. VVIP Passes Canceled: The cancellation of all special passes means that no exceptions will be made for vehicle entry.
3. One-Way Traffic System: A one-way route system has been introduced to streamline the movement of devotees and prevent congestion.
4. Vehicle Restrictions: Vehicles arriving from nearby districts will be stopped at district borders to reduce traffic and ease crowd movement.
5. Entry Ban on Four-Wheelers: Entry of four-wheel vehicles into the city has been completely banned until February 4, 2025.
To further strengthen crowd management, two senior IAS officers, Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami, have been tasked with overseeing operations. Both played pivotal roles in managing the 2019 Ardh Kumbh. Goyal was the Commissioner of Allahabad at the time, while Goswami was the District Magistrate and Vice Chairman of the Kumbh Mela Authority. In addition, five special secretary-rank officers, all with experience in handling large-scale events, have been appointed to assist with the Maha Kumbh operations.
In the wake of the stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a series of guidelines aimed at improving crowd control, traffic management, and coordination among departments. He ordered a review of the Maha Kumbh arrangements by the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP).The Chief Minister also instructed the ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj to ensure the safe and orderly departure of pilgrims from the city. In a late-night video conference, he addressed senior officials from multiple districts, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and others, to ensure smooth operations.
The state-run Transport Corporation has been tasked with deploying additional buses to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. Holding areas have been set up at the borders of the fair area to manage crowd pressure. Devotees will only be allowed to proceed when the situation permits, with arrangements for food, water, and power in place at these areas. Increased patrolling and improved traffic flow will also be implemented along major routes leading to Prayagraj, including those from Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and others.
A three-member judicial commission has been established to investigate the causes of the stampede. The panel consists of Justice Harsh Kumar, former Director General VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer VK Singh. In addition to the investigation, Chief Minister Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede.
