Over 520 million take holy dip as devotees continue to arrive at Mahakumbh

More than 520 million people have taken a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj since the start of the Mahakumbh Mela five weeks ago, making it the largest human gathering in the world.

The festival, which draws millions of religious pilgrims from across India and abroad, continues to see a surge in devotees. On Monday, the 36th day of the Mahakumbh massive crowds were observed at the Prayagraj Railway Station, with authorities on high alert to manage the throngs of passengers and ensure smooth movement.

Security arrangements at the Mahakumbh have been under constant review. On Sunday, the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), G.P. Singh, visited Prayagraj to assess the safety measures in place. He commended the close coordination between Uttar Pradesh Police, CRPF, and other agencies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between vigilance and providing seamless public assistance.

The CRPF’s official X account shared details of the review, stating, “In Prayagraj, DG GP Singh assessed security arrangements for Mahakumbh, guiding CRPF officials on balancing vigilance with seamless public assistance.” The post also highlighted the “fine synergy” between various law enforcement agencies working together to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

In light of the immense passenger traffic during the festival and the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Northern Railway has introduced four special trains to ease the burden on travelers. These trains are part of the measures being taken to handle the surge in passenger numbers, ensuring better travel convenience for devotees and other travelers visiting Prayagraj during the Mela.

The Railway authorities stated, “For the convenience of rail passengers and to clear the extra rush during Mahakumbh Mela, Railways have decided to run Mahakumbh Mela Special trains.”