Spread over 4,000 hectares, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is setting up the world’s largest ‘tent city’ to accommodate an estimated 400 million pilgrims for the Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025. That is also, by some estimates, the world’s largest gathering of humanity .
The convergence of 400 million people, which is equal to the combined population of the United States and the United Kingdom, during the auspicious 45 days of Mahakumbh in January-February 2025, would be 1.6 times the current population of Uttar Pradesh, determined at 250 million.
According to the UP government, the massive tent city will include 2,000 tents and 25,000 public accommodation units to serve visitors, illuminated by 67,000 street lamps.
About 23,000 CCTV cameras and an artificial intelligence-based chatbot system will supplement security at the temporary settlement, which will be staffed by a dedicated group of senior police and government officials.
A series of road projects, temporary bridges, hospitals, markets, etc. will litter the proposed 25 sectors of the temporary tent city in Sangam’s Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) district, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. Devout Hindus consider Prayagraj as one of the holiest cities, which is believed to grant salvation to those who bathe in the ‘Sangam’.
A ‘grand, green’ affair
Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath’s government is burning the midnight oil to make the Mahakumbh Mela ‘green and smart’ by covering the entire area with 150,000 saplings.
The UP Prime Minister has already announced that the Mahakumbh 2025 will be organized on a much larger scale than the Ardhkumbh 2019, when an estimated 240 million pilgrims converged on the holy city.
The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela is supervised by the Prayagraj Mela Authority. While the Mahakumbh Mela and Kumbh Mela take place every twelve and six years respectively, the Magh Mela is an annual event.
So far, the state has approved 384 projects worth Rs 7,500 crore for successfully organizing Mahakumbh 2025. The projects cover various departments including tourism, roads, bridges, healthcare, medical, power, irrigation and others. The state government has already released over Rs 2,200 crore for 250 projects.
Expand the reach
In addition to traditional communication channels and branding efforts, the Yogi government is leveraging social media for the global branding of Mahakumbh 2025. It is projected as a cornerstone of ‘Brand UP’, which encompasses cultural, religious, economic and heritage aspects.
UP Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra recently reviewed the ongoing projects and directed officials to ensure optimum safety, security and convenience to the pilgrims. “The Mahakumbh 2025 will represent India and UP to the domestic and international tourists, estimated to number a record 400 million. It is therefore imperative that visitors carry with them pleasant memories of their stay,” said Mishra.
Compared to the expenditure of Rs 4,200 crore in Ardhkumbh 2019, there is an increase of over 78 percent with an allocation of Rs 7,500 crore for Mahakumbh 2025.
The preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 follow Ayodhya’s ascent onto the global tourism map, marked by the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ (initiation) ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22. Mahakumbh 2025 will provide a strong foundation for the Yogi government to strengthen its ‘cultural nationalism’. ‘ agenda.
Strengthening of infrastructure
Meanwhile, civil works on two mega infrastructure projects in UP – the Jewar International Airport in Greater Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar district) and the Meerut-Prayagraj Ganga Expressway – are in full swing. The two are likely to be commissioned towards the end of the 2024 calendar itself.
The CM has appointed officials responsible for completing the highway before the Mahakumbh, which will ease travel for the large number of visitors to and from Prayagraj.
The UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is also looking to upgrade its aging fleet with 5,000 new buses before the Mahakumbh.
Moreover, the state tourism department is setting up a ‘Digital Kumbh Museum’ to showcase the country’s cultural heritage and provide insights into the mythological and historical significance of the Kumbh Mela.
It will feature galleries with spiritual themes such as Spiritual and Kumbh Mela Interpretation Gallery, Samudra Manthan Gallery and Akhada Gallery. The museum will include a food court and shops, where visitors can purchase literature and souvenirs related to the Mela.
First print: April 8, 2024 | 12:43 pm IST