Maha Kumbh ’25 takes leap in scale More Utilities, Ghats, Shuttle On The Cards

Maha Kumbh ’25 takes leap in scale More Utilities, Ghats, Shuttle On The Cards

Shailvee.Sharda@timesofindia.com 02.12.2024

Lucknow : Mahakumbh 2025 is going to be bigger and even better than the Kumbh of 2019, suggests comparative data from various departments of UP govt. The area over which the Mela ground has come up is a sprawling 4,000 hectares, an increase of 20% compared to 2019. This area would be segregated into 25 sectors. Similarly, the size of the tent city this time is twice it was in 2019 and would have 1.6 lakh tents. Given the larger area, the number of pucca ghats has been increased from four to is nine. Likewise, number of pontoon bridges this time is 30 against 22 in 2019.

Besides, 400 kms of temporary roads are being built, an increase of 35%. The entire area would be illuminated with a network of streetlights, increased in number from 40,000 to 67,000. To ensure uninterrupted supply of power, Uttar Pra desh Power Corporation Limited has set up two power substations and 66 new transformers. For adequate and uninterrupted water supply to pilgrims on the mela premises, UP Jal Nigam has built 1,249 kms of pipelines to feed over 200 water ATMs and 85 water booths, an increase from the earlier 1,049 kms pipleline and 10 water ATM booths.

To attend to hygiene and sewage needs, 1.5 lakh toilets are being built in the mela ground this time and 10,000 safai workers would be engaged to keep the toilets clean. Govt has gone the extra mile to create a green Kumbh by planting over 3 lakh saplings ahead of the event. In 2019, much of the greenery was created using potted plants. The area for street art and wall murals has also been increased from 17 lakh square feet to 18 lakh square feet this time. Officials said over 550 shuttle buses and 7,000 roadways buses would be plied for the convenience of pilgrims and number of bus stations has increased from five last time to seven. Advisor to CM Yogi Adityanath and former IAS officer, Awanish Awasthi, said: “The resolve of state govt is to ensure pilgrim experience, safety and convenience and the resolve is being implemented in letter and spirit.”Labourers constructing replicas of 12 Jyotirlinga temples on the banks of the Yamuna for the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj