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Next year's Mahakumbh at Prayag (Allahabad) would have 11 more days in comparison to 2001 Mahakumbh while the authorities have increased the area of the mela by 56 per cent. Mahakumbh in-charge Mani Prasad Mishra told UNI here today that while in 2001 mahakumbh, the total days of the mela was only 44 days but this time it would be 55 days. " The authorities have increased the area of the mela by 56 per cent if compared to 2001 kumbh to accommodate about 90 million people who would be visiting during 5 main bathing days starting from Makar Sankranti on January 14,2013 to Shivratri on March 10 2013," he claimed. If compared to 2007, Ardh Kumbh mela, the area increased this time would be around 44 per cent.
Mr Mishra said that works to develop the infrastructure was underway on a war-footing and all preparation would be completed on time.
"Roads, drinking water, sanitation and electricity would be the priority for the authorities to complete by this December, so that the pilgrims get all facilities in time," he added. While the highest over 30 million pilgrims are expected in the Mahakumbh on Mauni Amavasya on February 10 followed by around 20 million on Basant Panchami on February 15, 16 million on Maghi Purnima on February 25, 11 million on the opening Makar-Sankranti on January 14, 5.5 million on Paush Purnima on January 27 and similar number on Shivratri on March 10.
Mahakumbh in Allahabad from Jan 14



Mahakumbh in-charge Mani Prasad Mishra told here today that while in 2001 mahakumbh, the total days of the mela was only 44 days but this time it would be 55 days.

Next year's Mahakumbh at Prayag (Allahabad) would have 11 more days in comparison to 2001 Mahakumbh while the authorities have increased the area of the mela by 56 per cent. 

“The authorities have increased the area of the mela by 56 per cent if compared to 2001 kumbh to accommodate about 90 million people who would be visiting during 5 main bathing days starting from Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2013 to Shivratri on March 10 2013," he claimed. If compared to 2007, Ardh Kumbh mela, the area increased this time would be around 44 per cent. 

Mishra said that works to develop the infrastructure was underway on a war-footing and all preparation would be completed on time. "Roads, drinking water, sanitation and electricity would be the priority for the authorities to complete by this December, so that the pilgrims get all facilities in time," he added. 

While the highest over 30 million pilgrims are expected in the Mahakumbh on Mauni Amavasya on February 10 followed by around 20 million on Basant Panchami on February 15, 16 million on Maghi Purnima on February 25, 11 million on the opening Makar-Sankranti on January 14, 5.5 million on Paush Purnima on January 27 and similar number on Shivratri on March 10.



To keep the Kumbh Mela area free from polythene, a team constituted by the Mela authorities is conducting a mass awareness campaign in different parts of the city.
Post warden, civil defence, Rajendra Tiwari said, "We are organising seminars where we are asking the people to prepare two cotton bags in every household which in turn would be distributed free to pilgrims coming to the Kumbh Mela. Besides cotton bags, the civil defence volunteers would also hand over paperbags to visitors and tourists so keep the Mela area polythene-free.
The team is receiving encouraging response from both the seers and public. The chief priest of Alopi Shankari temple Digambar Narendra Puri has donated 300 cotton bags for distribution among pilgrims.
An Allahapur-based trader is distributing pamphlets and leaflets among customers to spreadawareness about the ill-effects of using polythene.
The laying of pontoon bridges will start by October 20 this year. and thereafter went to the store of PWD in Mela area where he inspected the iron sleepers which would be laid on the river bank area.

Curtsy by : Times of India.
Paper, cotton bags for Kumbh Mela pilgrims



The Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has been entrusted the job to check quality of work in the construction of five power sub-stations to be set up on and around the Sangam campus. Five 33\11 KV power sub-stations would be set up at sangam for uninterrupted power supply during Mahakumbh.
District Magistrate Rajshekhar inspected on Friday construction of the four 33\11 KV power sub-stations at sangam and other areas and directed that the quality of the work be checked by the MNNIT. The DM first checked the Bakshi Bandh 33\11 KV sub station being constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore and expected to be complete by October 31.
Once it is ready, transformers would be set up. With the installation of transformer/power sub-station, uninterrupted power supply would be supplied to Daraganj, Allahapur and two STPs ( Sewage Treatment Plants).
Two independent feeders would be supplying power to the mela campus and a 3-km electricity line will connect the sub-station with Teliyarganj.
The DM instructed checking of civil and electrical work before September 20.
He also inspected the under-construction power sub-station at Ustapur (Jhunsi) and asked executive engineer of the Public Works Department to construct a 400-meter road for the sub-station being built at a cost of around Rs 5.28 crore expected to be complete by November-end.
Work to lay underground cable is expected to be complete by October 15.
Another power sub-station is being constructed at Boat Club and this sub-station would supply electricity to Gaughat, Kumbh Mela, Kydganj, Baluaghat and adjoining areas.

Curtsy by : 
MNNIT to oversee power sub-stations construction



Don't worry if you're planning to be a part of the Mahakumbh but are unfamiliar with customs and geography of the region or historical relevance of the mega event. By the time you visit, the tourism department would have trained 250 young, smart and soft-spoken volunteers to help you get around and answer all your queries pertaining to Sangam city and the Mahakumbh.
The department is gearing up to receive crores of visitors, including about 60,000 tourists from foreign countries with the Mahakumbh commencing on January 14, 2013. The guides being trained would be granted a year's licence for Allahabad city by the department, which may later be renewed.
Tourism Information Officer (Institute of Tourism Management, Lucknow), Vishal Srivastava told TOI that the training is being imparted to five batches of 50 guides each. He said the first batch has already been trained between August 27 and September 2, and training for the second batch is underway. The third, fourth and fifth batch would be imparted training between September 24 and November 3.
Srivastava said the guides are being groomed with respect to their body language and communication skills so that they leave a lasting impression on the visitors. They are also being taught about the tourism industry and guiding skills. Most importantly, they are being briefed about Allahabad as well as places of interest, culture, craft, and tradition in the city apart from the Kumbh and Sangam traditions. Guides are also being trained in providing first aid.
"If a guide knows a foreign language, it would be an added advantage for him as he can serve a wider audience," said Srivastava, adding, "Apart from the guides, the department would also train policemen, home-guards, porters and vendors and in view of Mahakumbh."
Sources said the tourism department has a set the target of imparting training to about 4,300 people who would directly be interacting with or facilitating tourists during the Mahakumbh.
Officials told TOI that the training is being imparted under a State assisted programme called "Hunar par Rozgar" and is basically a skill development exercise. The programme is meant for people with limited means of learning who need to acquire skills for employment.

Curtsy by : 
Tourism dept trains guides for Mahakumbh



As a part of preparations for Mahakumbh, the North Central Railway is making elaborate security measures for the passengers who will visit the city.

During Mahakumbh, Allahabad division will be divided into four sectors wherein various RPF personnel would be posted. The first sector will cover Allahabad area, second will include Subedarganj, Kanpur and Tundla, third will include Sangam area while in the last sector will cover Naini, Vindhyachal, Mirzapur and Chunar.

An officer of the rank of senior divisional security commissioner will function as mela security officer. To control any untoward incident, CCTVs will be installed at various locations at the station including booking counters, circulating area, parking stand, Passenger Reservation System (PRS).

CCTVs will also be installed in the enclosures set to accommodate the passengers. In addition, security control rooms will be set up at Allahabad station, Subedarganj station, Naini junction, Sangam area and Vindhyachal.

An array of assistant security commissioner, inspectors, sub inspectors, assistant sub inspectors, head constables and constables would be posted at vital installations during Mahakumbh.

In the first sector of Allahabad region, there would be about 700 RPF personnel.

These would include two assistant security commissioners, 10 inspectors, 20 sub-inspectors, 30 assistant sub-inspectors, 150 head constables and 500 constables.

In the third sector of Sangam, there would be one inspector, 2 sub-inspector, 5 assistant sub-inspector, 20 head constables and 70 constables. In the fourth sector comprising Naini, Vindhyachal, Mirzapur and Chunar, there would be an assistant security commissioner, 5 inspectors, 15 sub-inspectors, 20 assistant sub-inspectors, 75 head constables and 350 constables.

However, in the sector 2 covering Subedarganj, Kanpur and Tundla, there would be an assistant security commissioner, 2 inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors, 15 assistant sub-inspectors, 44 head constables and 175 constables.

RPF personnel would guard cash and booking offices, guarding parcels/packages on platforms and sidings. Further, RPF also guard stores and other property apart from cloak rooms, money changing offices, mela rakes and other rolling stocks on various stations.

NCR chief public relations officer Sandeep Mathur said security of passengers coming to Allahabad would be paramount during Mahabkumbh. Various CCTVs would be installed at Allahabad junction and other stations. Additional force will also be called to enhance the security at the station. Further, railways would co-operate with GRP for ensuring security to the passengers.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Raj Shekhar on Tuesday inspected the progress in construction of the Alopibagh flyover, Kumbh entry gates and rail over-bridge in Jhunsi.

He further directed officials to speed up the projects so that they are completed on time.

While inspecting the Alopibagh flyover project, the DM viewed the project map. Project Manager of the Bridge Corporation apprised the DM that the project worth Rs 2,965 lakh is expected to be completed by October 15.

He also told the DM that the main part of the work is complete and the entire construction would be complete by October 15.

The DM also inspected the Kumbh entry gate which was under construction at Badalganj on Reewa road.

It was said that four 'kalash-es' (urns) would be installed at the upper portion of the entry gate and that each urn costs about Rs 1.5 lakh. Around Rs 46 lakh would be spent on the construction of the entry gate and it would be complete by November 30. The construction work was started on May 5, 2012.

The DM also inspected the rail over-bridge in Jhunsi, a project worth Rs 9.52 crore. He also inspected another entry gate being constructed at Sarpatipur, Andhawa at a cost of Rs 46 lakh.

Courtesy : Times of India, 12 Sept. 2012
Elaborate security by NCR for Mahakumbh



Sending a letter of love, appreciation or good will from the spiritual spot of the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is likely to become an easy task, as the postal department is all set to establish a floating post office near the Sangam, much to the convenience of devotees, who come from far and wide.

The sea of humanity in Allahabad during the 2013-Mahakumbh may pose a stiff challenge for the telecom operators and service providers, as the lines of communications may get choked due to excess overload. However, the same may not be the case with the floating post office.

And, if sources in the postal department are to be believed, then the department has already started the initial groundwork, which would help the devotees as well as the saints and seers to stay in touch with their near and dear ones during the mega event.

Speaking to TOI, director postal services, Allahabad region, Krishna Kumar Yadav, said, "The postal department has planned to appoint a gazetted Kumbh Mela officer (Group-B). During the last Mahakumbh held in 2001, the department had established 10 post offices in each sector, in addition to a central post office and four mobile such units. However, this year, we are planning to establish post offices in each of the 14 sectors." The total cost, added Yadav, to be incurred during the Mahakumbh by the department would be ranging from Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore.

The department is also making provisions of having boats, which would take the letters directly from the devotees and subsequently dispatched to respective destinations, added Yadav.

When asked what are services, which the department is planning to offer to the devotees, saints and seers during Mahakumbh, Yadav, said, "The services offered by the department include registry, money order, parcel services, speed post, philately, saving accounts, and postal insurance among others."

The director further added that services like money order and parcel would help the state government generate revenue.

Courtesy : Times of India, 11 Sept. 2012
Floating post office in midst of Sangam



Divisional commissioner Divesh Chaturvedi has said all work pertaining to the arrangements for Kumbh Mela must be completed by the authorities concerned by November 30.

In addition, all ongoing work should be inspected at least once a week, and its physical report subsequently presented, he said. Chaturvedi issued these instructions while reviewing the work related to Kumbh at Gandhi gallery.

Expressing concern over the increase in complaints related to damage to manholes on the roads by Ganga Pollution Control Unit, he said the engineers of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) should check the same for quality.

He instructed the power department to complete the work of installation of poles by September 15. Further, the junction box installed at Harsh Vardhan crossing should be removed within a week, he said.

He also pulled up the Public Works Department ( PWD) authorities for failing to ensure the leveling of roads at different places, which is causing numerous problems to the commuters, and said the same should be done within a week.

The divisional commissioner also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work in the construction of various pucca ghats. He asked the irrigation department to complete the construction of Arail pucca ghat within this month when the water level decreases.

The authorities concerned were also asked to speed up the repair work on Thornhill Road near Halwai crossing. Meanwhile, Jal Nigam officials were given the September 30 deadline for completing the work of construction of overhead tanks. The issue of damaged drains below the Alopibagh bridge was also raised. 

November 30 deadline set for Kumbh work


Traffic police with fluent English would be acting as guides for visitors especially foreigners.
While smart traffic policemen would be deployed at strategic locations in and around mela area and they would be acting as 'path pradarshak ' for visitors especially for foreigners.
For that, the traffic police department has planned to impart training to its personnel to leave an everlasting impression on visitors.
However, this Mahakumbh, Mobile Barriers, Recovery Vehicles, Safety Bar Torches, Loud Hailer, helmets, Gas masks, ropes, florescent jackets/gloves are some equipment offering traffic police department to control the sea of crowd.
Drafting the final blueprint for managing traffic for Mahakumbh, the traffic police department has decided to set up three traffic police lines including Parade, Arail, and Jhunsi.
And, if there is more rush of devotees during main bathing days, the police forces would cover up to 100 kilometers of the borders where special parking lots would be developed. However, anticipating that over 10 crore people including around 60,000 foreigners would be coming Sangam city during Mahakumbh, the traffic police department has sought 1800 Mobile Barriers, 1200 Floroscent Jackets and Gloves, 350 Safety Bar Torches, 150 Loud Hailers, 700 Helmets and 1300 Gas Mask and 1,300 ropes to streamline traffic movements during day and night.
But more importantly, the traffic police department has asked for 25 Recovery vehicles with an objective to tow 'out of order' vehicles or streamlining traffic. Claiming that crore of pilgrims would be arriving Sangam city from far flung states of the country during Mahakumbh, traffic police need more recovery vehicles to clear the routes.
Suppose, if a small car or 10-tyres loaded truck all of a sudden goes out of order on route to Allahabad or near Sangam area, it would surely be disturbing the free flow of traffic and Recovery Van \ Cranes are immediately required to clear the routes.
DIG, Allahabad range, N. Raviendra" traffic police department will be equipped with all sorts of traffic equipments to streamline traffic during Mahakumbh'.
He added " with crores of people would be coming sangam through various modes, there would be special parking slots and adequate strength of traffic policemen would be managing traffic.
"As the crane services of traffic police department has already proved to be a hit affair to clear the routes, at least 25 recovery vans\ cranes both for heavy and light vehicles are required to manage the traffic free flow" said traffic inspector, IP Singh. It is expected that five temporary big parking slots would be set up.
Traffic police officials pointed out that "we currently have three cranes including two for heavy vehicles and one for lighter vehicles ( for cars and jeeps) and more recovery vehicles are needed to manage the traffic.
Secondly, adequate strength of traffic policemen including 11 traffic inspectors, 45 traffic sub-inspectors, 150 traffic head constables and 800 traffic constables would be deployed in and around sangam area to streamline traffic.


Mahakumbh goes 'English' for foreigners

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