Maha Kumbh: authorities aim for ‘Zero-Error’ Basant Panchami Snan preparation

Ahead of the third and final Amrit Snan of Basant Panchami, which will take place on February 3, the authorities in Prayagraj are working hard to ensure safety and effective crowd management. In response to the tragic stampedes that occurred on Mauni Amavasya (January 29), which claimed the lives of 30 pilgrims and left over 60 others injured, officials have been taking extra precautions to prevent such incidents from reoccurring. Authorities are particularly focused on making the Basant Panchami bathing event a "zero-error" exercise, implementing both modern technology and traditional crowd management techniques.

Focus on crowd control and safety

The preparations for the upcoming event are taking place in Mahakumbh Nagar and across the city of Prayagraj. Pilgrims have already started arriving in large numbers two days before the Basant Panchami ceremony, and it’s expected that the number will grow even further as the date approaches. With such a massive influx of people, crowd control has become one of the primary focuses for the administration. Authorities have learned valuable lessons from the stampedes during Mauni Amavasya and have vowed not to let any similar incidents occur during Basant Panchami.

To manage such a large gathering, police officers in charge of the various police stations and outposts across the sprawling 40 sq km area of the Mela have been instructed to stay on high alert. They have been given specific instructions to report any crowd surges immediately using wireless communication to higher authorities. This will ensure that the situation is addressed quickly and effectively, preventing overcrowding at the ghats and fairgrounds.

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Preventing overcrowding with quick communication

If an increase in crowd pressure is observed at any location, the officer in charge of the concerned police station or outpost will immediately alert neighboring officers. This quick communication system will help manage the situation by either diverting crowds away from the affected areas or slowing down the rush to prevent further buildup. Ensuring that no crowd gathers beyond the capacity of the area is a key part of the security plan.

Rajesh Dwivedi, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of Mahakumbh, emphasized that these crowd management measures are being implemented with precision and urgency. "Every possible effort is being made to ensure that the Maha Kumbh is safe. We have instructed all officers to prevent unnecessary crowd gatherings at the ghats and fairgrounds. Information will be shared continuously to manage the crowds," Dwivedi stated.

To further strengthen the security measures, seven additional IPS officers have been assigned to oversee the Mela area and assist with managing the large crowd. These officers include additional SP Vikas Chandra Tripathi, DCP Shravan Kumar Singh, SP Dipendranath Chaudhary, SP Raj Dhari Chaurasia, ASP Omprakash Singh, ASP Praveen Kumar Yadav, and SP Laxmi Niwas Mishra, who are all highly experienced and skilled in managing large public events. Their presence will bolster the local police force and ensure the security of the pilgrims.

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The state government has also issued instructions for the immediate deployment of additional personnel, especially in areas that are expected to experience heavy crowd movement. This includes roads, ghats, and other key points where pilgrims may gather.

In the wake of the Mauni Amavasya stampede, the state government organized a special workshop for all the officers involved in crowd control. The workshop, which was held at the Mela Police Lines, was chaired by Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Chairman Ashish Goyal and Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami. The workshop focused on better coordination among officials, specifically on how to manage the flow of people and maintain smooth traffic.

A key issue that emerged during the workshop was that many officials were unaware of sector boundaries, which made it difficult for them to make decisions about managing crowd control effectively. As a result, the officials were given clear instructions on what to do and how to act during the event. They were also made to sign the traffic plan to ensure accountability.

Officials have also taken measures to ensure pilgrims are guided to the correct ghats. They have asked sector magistrates and police officers to inspect their areas and suggest improvements to signage. The aim is to ensure that pilgrims have a clear path to the ghats nearest to them, reducing the chances of overcrowding at any particular location. By dispersing the crowds more evenly, the authorities hope to prevent any site from becoming too crowded.

Additionally, pilgrims have been encouraged to follow the instructions from officials and to bathe at the ghats closest to their location. This will ensure that the pressure is spread out more evenly and help in crowd control.

Security and emergency services

A high-level meeting was held on February 1 at the Mela Reserve Police Lines to discuss the security and law enforcement measures for the upcoming event. The meeting was chaired by ADG Bhanu Bhaskar and included all senior police officers, sector magistrates, and paramilitary force officers.

It was emphasized that drones, CCTV surveillance, and other high-tech security systems would be in place to monitor the crowds and detect any unusual activity. Anti-terror squads, as well as disaster management teams, are on high alert to respond swiftly in case of any emergency. NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams and diving units have also been deployed at the ghats, prepared to assist in rescue operations if necessary.

As part of the preparations, ambulances, temporary hospitals, and medical teams have been put on standby to assist with any health emergencies. The medical services will remain available throughout the event to attend to any injured pilgrims or those in need of medical attention.

The authorities are taking every possible step to ensure that Basant Panchami is celebrated in a safe and secure environment for the millions of devotees who will attend. This includes comprehensive preparations for crowd control, security, medical assistance, and emergency management to ensure that no untoward incidents occur.

By taking these extensive measures, officials are confident that Basant Panchami will proceed without any hitches, and pilgrims will be able to enjoy the sacred bathing event safely and with peace of mind.