Page 12 - Uttar Pradesh Government

Robust 7-tier security arrangement established for Maha Kumbh: UP govt

A seven-tier security circle has been established to ensure the safety of more than 40 crore people expected to visit Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, the Uttar Pradesh government has said. The local authorities have set up temporary police stations and checkpoints in both urban and rural areas, as well as near railway stations, bus terminals, airports, and other key routes. The security will be further bolstered by the deployment of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, National Disaster Response Force, Central Armed Police Forces, BDD, and AS Check teams. Units will be kept in reserve for the city and rural areas, the UP government said in a statement on Sunday. Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gaba said 13 temporary police stations and 23 checkpoints are being established for a reinforced security, which will take the number of stations up from 44 to 57. Around 10,000 police personnel will be stationed across urban and rural areas of Prayagraj. The Prayagraj Police Commissionerat

UP CM invites Prez Murmu, VP Dhankhar, other dignitaries for Mahakumbh 2025

Ahead of the Maha Kumbh, CM Yogi and his ministers are visiting different states and inviting dignitaries and common people for the Maha Kumbh

Since excavation is underway, I believe CM house has Shivling too: SP chief

Akhilesh spoke on several pressing issues in Uttar Pradesh, including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), preparations for the Kumbh Mela, and concerns about the state of farmers

UP govt to deploy underwater drones, multilingual signages at Maha Kumbh

In a first, "underwater drones" capable of diving up to 100 meters will be deployed during the upcoming Maha Kumbh to provide round-the-clock surveillance at Sangam area in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the Culture Ministry said on Sunday. Besides, renovation of 92 roads and construction of 30 pontoon bridges and installation of 800 multilingual signages are being undertaken there to facilitate the pilgrims and other visitors showcasing India's culture and diversity. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Uttar Pradesh government is making "extensive preparations to ensure that Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is a grand, safe and spiritually enriching event", the ministry said. Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day festival from January 13 to February 26 will showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. The Culture Ministry shared details on the preparations underway and the civic amenities and security arrangements t

UP CM Adityanath orders strict monitoring of police's infra projects

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stressed the importance of maintaining quality and adhering to deadlines in the construction of police lines, transit hostels, and training institutions under the home department. Chairing a meeting at his official residence on Thursday, the chief minister directed that these projects be reviewed regularly at various administrative levels to ensure progress, according to an official statement. Adityanath emphasised that a secretary-level official from the home department should conduct weekly reviews, while the additional chief secretary should conduct fortnightly reviews. He added that monitoring responsibilities should also extend to district, range, and zonal police officers. Highlighting accountability, the chief minister ordered a monthly third-party audit by technical institutes for all projects exceeding Rs 50 crore. This audit should include on-site verification and photographic evidence submitted alongside the report, the ..

Law and order has improved in UP but not 100% safe for women yet: Guv Patel

The Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday said that the law and order situation has improved in the state but there was still time before it could be termed as "100 per cent safe for women". She said that she hoped a day would come when women would debate in the Parliament while their husbands would wait for them at home after preparing a meal. "We must check within our families if we are ready to give rights to women. In Panchayats, despite women becoming gram pradhans, the decisions are still being made by the men in their families," the governor said. "During functions, I always ensure that women pradhans sit on their designated seats. There are many women pradhans who are aware and are taking decisions independently, the Governor said during an interaction with reporters at the Lucknow Raj Bhavan on Thursday. The Governor's remarks came in response to a query if the society and political parties were willing to change their approach towards women especially after t

Akhada Parishad condemns Pannu's Maha Kumbh threat as divisive tactic

The Akhada Parishad hit out at Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu for trying to instigate division between communities after he allegedly issued a threat to target the Maha Kumbh in a video. Following the death of three Khalistani Zindabad Force militants in an encounter with the UP and Punjab police in Pilibhit on Monday, a video threatening to disrupt the key bathing dates of the Magh Mela on -- January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami) -- surfaced on social media, with the voice in the video being attributed to Khalistan supporter Pannu. Pannu is the chief of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice and has been designated a terrorist by the Indian government. Addressing the media in Mahakumbh Nagar, Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, said, "If this person named Pannu dares to enter our Maha Kumbh, he will be beaten and driven out. We have seen hundreds of such lunatics." "This is the Ma

UP govt makes special arrangements for dignitaries visiting Maha Kumbh 2025

As Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is set to witness a massive influx of pilgrims, tourists, VIP and VVIP dignitaries from across the globe, the Prayagraj Mela Authority has made extensive preparations, including accommodation and protocol arrangements, to ensure a seamless experience, officials said here on Wednesday. The grand event will span 45 days, from Paush Purnima on January 13 to Mahashivratri on February 26. It will feature special measures for dignitaries. A 247 control room has been established, with dedicated officers and personnel. For protocol management, the government has deployed three additional district magistrates (ADMs), as many sub-district magistrates (SDMs) and naib tehsildars, and four revenue officials, they said. Deputy collector-level officers will serve as sector magistrates across 25 sectors to oversee arrangements. These efforts aim to provide a smooth and enriching experience for all dignitaries attending this iconic event. To ensure seamless protocol ...

Akhilesh questions BJP govt's preparedness for Mahakumbh, offers help

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's preparedness for the upcoming Mahakumbh and accused it of mismanagement. In a social media post, the opposition leader flagged several issues regarding security arrangements, local concerns and overall administration in Prayagraj, urging the government to take immediate corrective action. "This is the truth of preparations for 'Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025' under the BJP government! At least the work of the police department should have been completed long ago because the management of the security circle does not wait for the last day," he said on X. The former chief minister of the state also drew attention to the alleged delay in addressing the needs of local residents and the fair area, stating that people in Prayagraj were questioning the government's priorities. "The aggrieved people of Prayagraj are asking that the BJP government was very prompt in removing the statue of 'Mahadani' Empero

UP CM Adityanath accuses Congress of insulting Ambedkar since Nehru days

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress as he accused the party of repeatedly disrespecting 'the architect of India's Constitution' B R Ambedkar during his lifetime and undermining his legacy after his death. Adityanath also claimed that India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was against Ambedkar's inclusion in the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. He made the remarks in a press conference at his official residence 5 Kalidas Marg, amid ongoing controversy triggered since Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha last week. Flanked by ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Asim Arun, Adityanath highlighted the press conference's purpose as an effort to expose what he described as the unethical and unconstitutional conduct of Congress and other opposition parties against Ambedkar. "Dr B R Ambedkar played a monumental role during India's freedom movement, the drafting of the Constitution and th

Manual labour resumes excavation work of Sambhal's Chandausi stepwell

The JCB had been operated for two days, but when the machinery was unable to proceed, the Nagar Palika decided to switch to manual labour

Uttar Pradesh PCS prelims conclude with only 42% candidates turnout

The PCS prelims, hit by large-scale protests at the beginning, were concluded on Sunday, with only about 42 per cent of the candidates appearing. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Secretary Ashok Kumar said the exams were conducted peacefully under the watch of police and other agencies. "The PCS Pre exam was completed peacefully on Sunday. For the fairness of the exam, a double-layer system was put in place in which the police and the agency were conducting separate investigations," he told PTI. He said all exams were conducted under the watch of CCTV and live streamed and candidates' iris and other biometrics were screened to filter out proxies. "Every candidate of every centre was monitored from the control room set up in the commission. This monitoring was done through CCTV cameras installed in 1,331 centres across the state. As soon as any candidate was seen roaming around, we immediately alerted the concerned centre about what the particular candidate was doing,

UP govt makes special arrangements for insect-free Maha Kumbh Mela

The Uttar Pradesh health department has made special arrangements to provide an insect-free experience during the Maha Kumbh. Officials on Sunday said an innovative system had been introduced that would deploy automatic mist blowers in the Maha Kumbh area. These blowers are capable of eradicating mosquitoes and flies within 30 minutes of receiving a call. The system ensures a swift response and a hygienic environment for all attendees, they said. Significant efforts are being made to maintain a clean and insect-free environment in the akharas and the expansive tent city, they added. A total of 110 state-of-the-art mist blowers and 107 mini foggers are being deployed across the site. These devices are expected to enhance the devotees' overall experience and ensure a healthy environment throughout the grand gathering, the officials said. According to Dr VP Singh, nodal joint director (vector control) for the Maha Kumbh, insecticide spraying would be carried out across the entire ve

UPSIDA accelerates development projects in Surajpur area near Noida

On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority has fast-tracked several key infrastructure projects in the industrial areas of Surajpur in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, officials said on Friday. The initiatives aim to bolster industrial growth, attract large investors, and contribute to Uttar Pradesh's ambition of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy, according to UPSIDA Chairman Mayur Maheshwari. Speaking on the developments, Maheshwari, a senior IAS officer, said, "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UPSIDA is continuously working to upgrade the state's industrial infrastructure. "These projects will not only benefit industrialists in the region but also the local population, fostering economic growth and job opportunities," he said. A major aspect of the UPSIDA's push is the fast-tracked development of key infrastructure in Surajpur. One of the focal points of the ongoing improvements is the ...

FIR lodged against SP's Sambhal MP Ziaur Rehman Barq for power theft

The Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP Ziaur Rehman Barq was booked by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday for alleged theft of electricity at his residence in the Deepa Sarai neighbourhood here. The parliamentarian was booked under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, (theft of power or unauthorised use of electricity). "On checking the meter of the consumer received from the electrical testing laboratory, it is clear that electricity theft has been done by bypassing the meter and using electricity illegally," stated the FIR lodged on a complaint by a power department official. The department inspected the Sambhal MP's residence on Thursday morning amid heavy security. Barq is among those booked by the police in connection with the November 24 violence that led to the death of four locals in a clash with security personnel during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the city's Kot Garvi area. He has filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court, seeki

UP to surpass 1 bn tourist visits, generating Rs 3 trn revenue: Minister

Uttar Pradesh Jal Shakti and Namami Gange Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said on Wednesday that the state is on track to surpass one billion tourist visits, generating Rs 3 lakh crore in economic activity. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a 180-foot-tall Shiva temple being constructed by the Ram Janki Temple Trust, Singh credited this surge in tourism to the development of corridors across various religious sites and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "So far, 60 crore tourists have visited the state due to corridor development. Additionally, we estimate around 45 crore visitors for Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh. With these numbers, Uttar Pradesh will surpass one billion tourists," Singh said. The minister highlighted the shift in public sentiment towards religion and safety in the state. "After Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi took charge, people's faith in the Sanatan Dharma has grown immensely. There is also a

No attempt to build Ayodhya mosque, reclaim given land: BJP leader to UP CM

A BJP leader here has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, asking him to reclaim the land allotted for the construction of a mosque here and claiming that no substantial endeavour has been undertaken to build it. On November 9, 2019, settling a fractious issue that went back more than a century, a five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi paved the way for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, at the site where the 16th century Babri Masjid once stood. It also ruled that an alternative five-acre plot would be found for a mosque in the holy town. The Sunni Central Waqf Board later formed the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation to build a new mosque on the land allotted by the state government in the Dhannipur area of the district. BJP leader Rajneesh Singh, in his letter to the chief minister on December 10, said that since the apex court's verdict, "no substantial endeavour has been undertaken by the Muslim community to construct the mosque". Th

Complete ban on any kind of demonstration around Vidhan Sabha: UP police

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed outside the Congress office in Lucknow

Tethered drones deployed for aerial surveillance of Maha Kumbh 2025

Tethered drones have been deployed in the Maha Kumbh area to provide comprehensive aerial surveillance ahead of next year's event, officials said on Tuesday. The high-tech device capable of capturing high-resolution images, videos, and sensor data leaves no corner of Mahakumbh Nagar unmonitored, they said. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh is scheduled to take place in Prayagraj from January 14 to February 26. The state-of-the-art system is a major step towards safeguarding the devotees, officials said, adding that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Dwivedi has appointed an expert team to oversee its operation. Calling it a unique and advanced security tool, Dwivedi highlighted its ability to switch to alert mode within seconds. "The tethered drone's secure data transmission ensures that it captures every detail, big or small, from above, making it a cornerstone of the hi-tech security measures in place," the officer said, adding that it will act as an "third eye" of t

Maha Kumbh 2025 to offer unique digital experience with AI chatbot

The Maha Kumbh-2025 will offer a unique digital experience to people across the globe, allowing them to get a memorable token of the event. The Maha Kumbh-2025 will be held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. This initiative, part of the Digital Maha Kumbh vision led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, introduces AI Generative Chatbot technology for the first time, officials said on Monday. By simply scanning the QR code, users can receive a personalised Maha Kumbh certificate with their photo on it, which can also be saved digitally or printed. The AI chatbot also provides complete details about every event and major programme of the Maha Kumbh. Regional Tourism Officer, Prayagraj, Aparajita Singh, said under the chief minister's guidance, preparations are underway on war-footing to make the Maha Kumbh a grand, spiritually elevating and hi-tech event. In line with this vision, officials from the Tourism Department, along wit