Mahakumbh Nagar: On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, the manifestation festival of the Goddess of Knowledge, Maa Saraswati, crores of devotees took a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati in Mahakumbh Prayagraj on Monday, February 3. The event took place under golden sunshine, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.
To ensure a smooth and secure bathing experience for devotees, saints, mahatmas, and Kalpvasis, an extensive police and security arrangement was put in place across the Mahakumbh fair area. Security personnel from various forces- including civil police, traffic police, mounted police, women police, fire brigade, PAC, STF, ATS, NSG commandos, paramilitary forces, and bomb disposal squads—were deployed at key locations such as intersections, pontoon bridges, Akhara routes, and bathing ghats.
Additionally, water police and trained divers/deep divers were stationed at the holy Sangam to ensure the safety of bathers. Personnel from SDRF, NDRF, and Flood Company continuously monitored the Sangam area and other ghats, keeping a close watch to prevent any untoward incidents.
To enhance surveillance, CCTV cameras and drones were installed throughout the Mahakumbh Mela area and monitored via the Integrated Command Control Center. Announcements through the Public Address System provided real-time safety instructions, urging devotees to bathe carefully and follow security protocols. To manage the massive influx of visitors, 36 designated parking zones were set up, ensuring devotees had minimal walking distances to reach the bathing ghats.
Senior administrative and police officers personally oversaw crowd control and security measures, remaining present in the fair area throughout the day. ADG Prayagraj Zone Bhanu Bhaskar, Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba, IG Prayagraj Zone Prem Gautam, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, DIG Vaibhav Krishna, Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand, and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi were among those monitoring the arrangements.
To ensure efficient management, senior officers patrolled the fairgrounds on horseback, and dedicated lost and found centers helped reunite missing persons with their families.
The well-coordinated security efforts and seamless organization of the event received immense appreciation from devotees and pilgrims, both from India and abroad. Visitors expressed gratitude for the smooth arrangements, which allowed them to experience the spiritual essence of the Mahakumbh without any disruptions.
The final Amrit Snan festival of the Mahakumbh concluded successfully, marking another milestone in the grand spiritual gathering.
