No vehicle zone, VVIP passes cancelled: UP govt’s key changes after Maha Kumbh stampede

In the wake of a stampede during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives and left 60 others injured, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a series of stringent measures to prevent further tragedies and streamline crowd management at the ongoing religious gathering.

The stampede occurred on Wednesday as millions of devotees flocked to the Kumbh Mela for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the event. Authorities reported that the incident was triggered by a surge of devotees pushing against barricades as they attempted to reach the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati river.

In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out five key changes to improve safety and order in the area:

1. Complete No-Vehicle Zone: All types of vehicles are now strictly prohibited from entering the Maha Kumbh fairgrounds.
2. Cancellation of VVIP Passes: No special passes will be allowed for vehicle entry, ensuring that there are no exceptions.
3. One-Way Traffic System: A one-way traffic system has been implemented to help manage the movement of devotees more efficiently.
4. Vehicle Entry Restricted: Vehicles from neighboring districts of Prayagraj are being stopped at district borders to alleviate congestion.
5. Four-Wheeler Entry Banned: The entry of four-wheelers into Prayagraj will remain completely banned until February 4 to maintain order.

In a bid to bolster crowd management efforts, the state government has dispatched IAS officers Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Goswami to Prayagraj. Both officials have significant experience in managing large-scale events, having played key roles in the successful management of the 2019 Ardh Kumbh. They will be joined by five special secretary-rank officers with experience in handling mass gatherings.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also taken immediate steps to address the situation. He issued a series of guidelines focused on enhancing crowd control, traffic management, and inter-departmental coordination. A review of the current Maha Kumbh arrangements will be conducted by the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP). Additionally, the ADG and District Magistrate of Prayagraj have been instructed to ensure the safe departure of devotees from the city.

In a late-night video conference, CM Yogi instructed senior police officers to work closely with rail authorities to manage the movement of devotees and ensure there are no traffic or crowd bottlenecks. The Transport Corporation has been directed to deploy additional buses to accommodate the increased rush, while street vendors occupying the roads will be relocated to prevent disruptions.

Following the tragic incident, the state government has announced the formation of a three-member judicial commission to investigate the causes of the stampede. The commission will be headed by Justice Harsh Kumar, with former Director General V.K. Gupta and retired IAS officer V.K. Singh as members.

In a bid to provide relief to the victims, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede.