Uttar Pradesh announces 5 key changes for safer Kumbh Mela after stampede kills 30

Following the deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj that claimed 30 lives and injured 60, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented significant safety measures to prevent further incidents and improve crowd management. The stampede occurred on Mauni Amavasya, a major religious day during the Kumbh Mela, when millions of devotees gathered at the Sangam for a holy dip. The tragic incident resulted from pilgrims pushing past barricades as they rushed to the river.

To address crowd-related challenges, the state government has declared the entire Kumbh Mela area a No-Vehicle Zone. All vehicles, including those with VVIP passes, are now prohibited from entering the Mela area. The decision aims to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian movement. This move is part of broader measures to control crowd density and prevent overcrowding, which contributed to the stampede.

In addition to the vehicle ban, the state government has enforced a one-way traffic system across the Mela grounds. This system is intended to regulate the movement of both pilgrims and vehicles in an organized manner, minimizing crowd pressure at key locations. The state has also implemented a complete ban on four-wheelers entering Prayagraj from neighboring districts until February 4. Vehicles coming from districts such as Fatehpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi are being stopped at the district borders to alleviate congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow during peak hours.

To enhance crowd management, Uttar Pradesh has appointed key officials with experience from the 2019 Kumbh Mela. Ashish Goyal, former Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj, and Bhanu Goswami, former Vice Chairman of the Allahabad Development Authority, have been tasked with overseeing the Kumbh Mela’s operations. These officials are responsible for ensuring that crowd control measures are followed, and safety standards are maintained throughout the event. In addition, five Special Secretary-level officers have been deployed to supervise various aspects of the Mela, including security, health, and logistics.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also established a three-member judicial commission to investigate the causes of the stampede and to review the safety measures in place during the event. The commission, led by Justice Harsh Kumar, former Director General VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer VK Singh, will investigate whether the crowd control strategies and infrastructure were adequate and determine what changes are needed in future Kumbh Melas.

In the aftermath of the stampede, the Uttar Pradesh government has prioritized the safety and well-being of the remaining devotees. The Chief Secretary and Director General of Police have been instructed to thoroughly assess the arrangements for the upcoming snan (bathing) days, especially the major Basant Panchami celebration on February 3. Efforts include ensuring the free flow of return routes from Prayagraj, keeping vital roads unobstructed, and deploying sufficient manpower for crowd management. Additionally, provisions for food, water, and medical assistance have been set up at key locations within the Mela grounds to address the needs of pilgrims.

As part of the government’s response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede. The state continues to focus on ensuring the safe and smooth departure of devotees from the Mela site while maintaining order and preventing further incidents.