Page 29 - Uttar Pradesh

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

UP police submits 3,000 page long charge sheet in Sambhal violence case

The charge sheet is based on six cases filed in two police stations related to the violence

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

SC directs UP Police to complete probe against MLA Abbas Ansari in 10 days

MLA Abbas Ansari is facing charges under the the Gangsters Act, as well as, separate allegations connected to money laundering

Sambhal violence to top 'script of atrocities' when SP forms govt: Shivpal

Yadav said that when his party would form the government in the state, a 'script of atrocities' would be written and the Sambhal violence would be at the top

Hathras stampede: Judicial report submitted, to be tabled in UP Assembly

The Hathras Stampede, which occurred in July 2024, resulted in 121 deaths, including 112 women and at least seven children

Uttar Pradesh FM Suresh Khanna tables Rs 8.08 trillion state Budget

Total Budget outlay for FY26 is 9.8 per cent higher than last year's Rs 7.36 trillion

UP to develop vendors' chain to bolster India's defence manufacturing

The proposed defence MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) corridor comprising hubs of ancillary units will primarily feed the UP Defence Industrial Corridor

UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presents Rs 8.09 trn Budget for FY26

Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Thursday presented the Budget for financial year 2025-26 in the state assembly with an outlay of Rs 8,08,736.06 crore, 9.8 per cent higher than this fiscal's Budget outlay. The total outlay for financial year 2025-26 of Rs 8,08,736.06 crore includes new schemes worth Rs 28,478.34 crore, the state finance minister said while presenting the Budget. The size of the state's Budget for 2024-25 was Rs 7,36,437 crore, which included new schemes worth Rs 24,863.57 crore. For the next fiscal, the state government's Budget has estimated the total receipts at Rs 7,79,242.65 crore, which includes revenue receipts estimated at Rs 6,62,690.93 crore and capital receipts at Rs 1,16,551.72 crore. The share of tax collection in revenue receipts is estimated at Rs 5,50,172.21 crore, which includes the state's own tax revenue of Rs 2,95,000 crore and its share in the central tax pool at Rs 2,55,172.21 crore. The total expenditure is estimated at R

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

FIRs registered over sharing fake Kumbh video from Pakistan, says DIG

FIRs have been registered against social media handles for posting a video from Pakistan claiming it to be of the Kumbh area

Lending to MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh may surge 52% to Rs 4.5 trn in FY25

In the UP State Focus Paper prepared by Nabard, the state is projected to have a consolidated credit potential of ₹7.69 trillion in FY26 across priority sectors

UP to New Delhi: Yamuna's pollution crisis is a multi-state failure

Failure to build sewage treatment plants or keep them running well is choking the river

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

'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

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

Maha Kumbh: Over 13.5 mn devotees take holy dip in Sangam on Feb 17

The spiritual fervour at the Maha Kumbh remains unwavering as more than 1.35 crore devotees took a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Sangam by 8 pm on Monday. According to figures released by the Mela administration, the total number of devotees who have bathed in the Maha Kumbh since January 13 has surpassed 54.31 crore. Alongside common devotees, several political leaders and dignitaries also participated in the sacred ritual on Monday. Among them were Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State SP Singh Baghel and West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. "So far, 53 crore people have bathed here. This grand event is happening by the grace of the almighty," Mandaviya said Baghel also shared his experience, saying, "I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. This is a divine blessing and a significant moment in life." He later participated in the prasad distribution programme organised by

Strict security measures at major UP stations after Delhi stampede

Stringent protocols are being enforced at key railway stations in Uttar Pradesh such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow and Mirzapur following the stampede at the New Delhi railway station and the massive crowds arriving for the Maha Kumbh. North Central Railway's Shashikant Tripathi told PTI, "We are strictly adhering to the previously established protocols, which were successfully implemented during festivals like Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami." At Prayagraj Junction, entry is restricted to the city side, and passengers are kept in a 'holding area' until their train arrives. RPF Inspector Shiv Kumar said that crowd control measures are "effective". In Varanasi, Ashok Kumar from the North Eastern Railway said the same protocols are in place at Jhunsi and Rambagh stations, where passengers are held in secure areas until their train arrives. The security at Varanasi Junction has also been tightened after the Delhi incident. Station Director Arpit Gupta confirmed

Weekend rush at Maha Kumbh again, traffic increases at MP-UP border

According to officials, around 1,000 vehicles were moving towards Prayagraj in every hour at Chakghat border and nearly 800 returning from there in the same period