Page 2 - Prayagraj

NGT reserves order on Kumbh 2025 sanitation plea, petitioner seeks Rs 10 cr

A tribunal bench, led by NGT chairman Justice Prakash Shrivastava, has directed the Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities to take immediate action to fix the issue.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Authorities brace for final dip and last rush of devotees

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is coming to an end after one and a half months. The authorities remain on high alert, deploying personnel in sensitive areas to ensure security

Bathing videos of women from Maha Kumbh, FIRs against 140 SM accounts

In 2019, the Allahabad High Court banned the publishing of photos and videos of women at the Kumbh Mela

Airfare, hotels skyrocket at Maha Kumbh: Here's how much devotees overpaid

Devotees at Maha Kumbh overcharged as airfares, hotels, and local transport prices skyrocket by up to 300 per cent, raising concerns over price exploitation

Mahakumbh: 13 FIRs filed against 140 social handles for misleading content

All arrangements should run smoothly...No matter how big the crowd is, we are fully prepared, Mahakumbh Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna said

AI-based surveillance to boost safety of pilgrims at Maha Kumbh: Officials

A unique application of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based surveillance system at the Maha Kumbh, implemented for the first time by the Yogi Adityanath administration on a mammoth scale, would help avert congregation accidents in the years ahead and avoid repetition of a tragedy like this year, Mela authorities said. At least 30 people were killed and over 90 others were injured in a stampede on January 29 at the ongoing Maha Kumbh congregation at Prayagraj, which has already witnessed a footfall of record 60 crore pilgrims. Some 2,750 close-circuit cameras monitoring the 4000-acre Mela ground, about 250 of which are AI-enabled, feeding information to the Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) of the Mela have empowered the authorities with unique and real-time insights into crowd density per metre square at the bathing ghats, people flow into the Mela premises per minute, parking status of vehicles, crowd accumulation at key junctions and the need to issue alerts based on ...

Maha Kumbh also important from economic, environmental viewpoint: Minister

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday described Maha Kumbh as a unique example and said it is not only an event of religious and cultural importance but it is also important from the economic and environmental point of view. The 45-day Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj started on January 13 and will end on February 26, the Mahashivratri day. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, about 59 crore people have so far taken a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Speaking at the Kumbh Global Summit organised by India Foundation at Triveni Complex on Friday, Shekhawat said the Maha Kumbh, along with being the world's largest cultural and spiritual gathering, has also become one of the biggest economic events of the country at present. He said according to the Confederation of All India Traders, the Maha Kumbh has generated trade worth 360 billion dollars (about Rs 3 lakh crore). It will increase the country

Railways on high alert as devotees flock to Prayagraj for final Amrit Snan

Railways on high alert as thousands of devotees arrive in Prayagraj for the final Amrit Snan on February 26, with strict security, crowd control, and surveillance in place

Akhilesh Yadav to gift Kumbh study to Yogi, says 'lessons to be learned'

Akhilesh Yadav also took a dig at the Uttar Pradesh government over reports of faecal contamination in the waters of Triveni Sangam, and called UP Budget 'second last' of Yogi government

Faecal coliform bacteria: What is it? How does it affect your health?

A recent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report claimed that the river Ganga water is contaminated with faecal coliform bacteria; here's what is it and how it can impact your health

Kumbh's transient city raises lessons in urban planning and resilience

As the temporary metropolis comes to life, it raises profound questions about adaptability, sustainability, and what the cities of tomorrow can learn from one that refuses to stay

'Why sell excess tickets'? Delhi HC asks authorities over deadly stampede

On the day of the stampede, the chaos unfolded due to multiple factors. The primary cause was the station authorities continuing to sell tickets - issuing approximately 3,000 within just two hours

'Maha Kumbh water is safe': Yogi Adityanath rejects contamination report

CM Yogi Adityanath also criticised the Opposition for spreading 'misinformation' about the Maha Kumbh water being unfit for bathing

Schedule is based on muhurats: Prayagraj DM denies extension of Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj District Magistrate (DM) Ravindra Mandar on Tuesday categorically denied rumours circulating on social media regarding an extension of the Maha Kumbh Mela due to heavy crowds. Dismissing these claims, he clarified that the schedule of the event is determined on the basis of religious "muhurats" (auspicious timings) and remains unchanged. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26, in accordance with its pre-decided schedule, Mandar said. "According to (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions, the administration is ensuring a smooth travel and other arrangements for all the devotees. There is no proposal from the government or the district administration to extend the mela dates. Pilgrims should not pay heed to such misinformation," he said. The DM asserted that all necessary arrangements are in place for the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh to facilitate hassle-free bathing at the Triveni Sangam. The administration is also focused on traffic manageme

Mamata Banerjee dubs Maha Kumbh 'Mrityu Kumbh': 'No arrangements for poor'

Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of 'selling religion to divide the nation' and criticised the lack of planning for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj

People advised to travel to Mahakumbh only with reserved tickets : MP CM

CM Mohan Yadav also requested to all those travelling by roads through Rewa to be aware of all traffic situations and make arrangements for their convenient journey

Conflicting announcements caused New Delhi Railway stampede, finds inquiry

Congestion led to some passengers being pushed and falling, causing injuries, while others walked over them in the ensuing panic, finds inquiry report on the stampede

Prayagraj water fails bathing standards during Maha Kumbh; key details

Maha Kumbh Mela: A CPCB report dated February 3 highlighted that faecal coliform levels at all monitored locations were above the permissible limit, indicating significant sewage contamination

'No river discharge at Maha Kumbh, toilet wastewater treated daily'

The Maha Kumbh management authorities on Monday said that they are treating wastewater from over 1.5 lakh toilets daily, ensuring zero discharge into the river. The waste management program at Maha Kumbh, which draws millions of visitors daily, is also serving as a model for large-scale events globally, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement. Special Executive Officer of Maha Kumbh Mela, Akanksha Rana, said, "The vision of a clean Maha Kumbh, inspired by PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, is setting new milestones each day. Despite the massive influx of over 52 crore pilgrims, the vision of a garbage-free, plastic-free, and clean Kumbh has been successfully realized. Mahakumbh 2025 is now a model for future large-scale religious gatherings." She further highlighted that over 1.5 lakh toilets, including soak-pits, FRP, and mobile units, have been set up across the mela area. A QR code-based monitoring system ensures real-time maintenance, while jet spray cleaning ...