Prayagraj: A stampede-like situation broke out at the Maha Kumbh in the early hours of Wednesday, ahead of the sacred ‘Amrit Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya, leaving several pilgrims injured. The incident occurred at the Sangam, where an estimated 10 crores devotees were expected to gather for the holy dip
Barrier Collapse Resulting in Chaos
The situation turned chaotic when a barrier collapsed due to the overwhelming rush of devotees, triggering a sudden surge in the dense crowd. Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty for the Mela, confirmed that the injured were rushed to hospitals, but the exact number remains unclear.
Warning: Disturbing images
Absolutely devastating images from Prayagraj Kumbh. No official confirmation on casualties yet. pic.twitter.com/SFVVm4zFpW
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 29, 2025
In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to take a dip at their nearest ghats instead of pushing towards the overcrowded Sangam Nose. He also held a high-level emergency meeting with senior officials and cautioned the public against believing unverified rumors.
सभी पूज्य संतों, श्रद्धालुओं, प्रदेश एवं देश वासियों से मेरी अपील है कि अफवाह पर कोई ध्यान न दें, संयम से काम लें, प्रशासन आप सभी की सेवा के लिए तत्परता से कार्य कर रहा है… pic.twitter.com/r3qAkveJoz
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 29, 2025
Security and Crowd Management Measures at Mahakumbh
It is to be noted that several security and crowd management measures were undertaken at the Mahakumbh. Our earlier conversations with IAS Amrit Abhijat, IAS Amit Kumar Singh, and Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi revealed that several advanced security and crowd management systems were in place. These include:
GPS-based location tracking for real-time monitoring of pilgrim movement.
The Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) overseeing crowd management and emergency response.
AI-powered crowd analysis to track density and vehicle flow, reducing the risk of overcrowding.
126 surveillance cameras installed across railway stations and bus stands for transport security.
A 50-seat contact center with helpline number 1920 for emergency communication.
40 Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs) at critical points to relay real-time updates and alerts.
Deployment of 100 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), along with 40,000 police personnel, special forces, and commandos for security enforcement.
A central hospital with 100 beds, ICU facilities, and two sub-central hospitals with 30 beds each, along with eight smaller sub-central hospitals to handle medical emergencies.
130 ambulances, including river ambulances and an air ambulance, on standby.
The Medical College in Prayagraj upgraded to provide tertiary care services.
Authorities are continuously monitoring the situation to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh.
