Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 30, 2025, 09:17 AM
Mahakumbh 2025: 30 devotees died and more than 90 people were injured in a stampede on the day of Mauni Amavasya in the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. After this tragic accident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an inquiry by the judicial commission with immediate effect and a police inquiry has been started. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased.Strict restrictions on trafficAfter the accident, the Chief Minister has taken strict steps for crowd control. There is a complete ban on the entry of vehicles in the fair area. Apart from this, all VIP passes have been canceled. Devotees will be able to go to Sangam only on foot till February 4. The movement of four-wheelers has also been stopped in Prayagraj city, only bikes, ambulances and fire brigades have been exempted.Investigation of the causes of the accidentAccording to the preliminary report, a huge crowd had gathered during the Amrit Snan of Mauni Amavasya. Closing the pontoon bridges and the entry and exit routes being the same led to a stampede-like situation. The administration is now making changes in the arrangements to prevent such lapses.One-way traffic system implementedThe government has learnt from the accident and implemented a one-way traffic system in the fair area. Now the devotees will exit through a different route after bathing, so that unnecessary crowding can be prevented. Apart from this, eight major borders coming to Prayagraj have also been closed, which will help in crowd control in the city.Tight security arrangementsGiving priority to the safety of devotees in the Maha Kumbh, more than 60,000 security personnel have been deployed. Devotees are being appealed to bathe where they are and not unnecessarily increase the crowd in the Sangam area.Faith of devotees intactDespite the accident, the faith of the devotees and the enthusiasm of the Maha Kumbh has not diminished. Till Wednesday, about 10 crore devotees took bath at 44 ghats including Sangam. The administration is now ensuring that no such accident occurs in the coming days and the Maha Kumbha event is organised safely.