Maha Kumbh: Allotment process of land and other facilities goes online

Prayagraj: Allotment of land and other facilities to the organisations and institutions wishing to set up camp in the Maha Kumbh area during the 42-day long mega religious event starting Jan 2025 will be monitored through a special software. This was decided during the 19th board meeting of Prayagraj Mela Authority held at the ICCC auditorium of the mela authority at Sangam area on Tuesday under the chairmanship of divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant.

“Those camping in the mela area and seeking facilities from the mela authorities will have to apply through the online portal. The entire process, from application to allotment of facilities and monitoring, will be managed through the software,” said officials. All the previous data of allocation (facility slips) of institutions from Maha Kumbh 2013 and Kumbh 2019 will also be available on this software. Additionally, modules for registration and application of new institutions for Maha Kumbh 2025, as well as photographic evidence and verification of the establishment of facilities, will be available through the software.In view of monitoring the settlement, commercial and residential activities of Maha Kumbh 2025, and providing facilities to the devotees/tourists, as well as controlling most of the fair area, traffic, and parking, the board approved the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the mela adhikari. This committee will prepare a proposal for the demarcation of the fair area and send a detailed proposal for declaring it as mela district for further action.A proposal to get the work of development and beautification of five important routes near the mela area by the Prayagraj Mela Authority to streamline the movement of visitors was also approved. Along with civil works, horticulture, mural painting, and maintenance work will also be done on these five major routes. These five routes are from Bakshi Dam to Nagvasuki via Ganga Murti Tiraha, from Alopi Bagh to Daraganj, Kilaghat Marg, Daraganj to Shastripul, and Tikar Mafi Ashram Kali Triveni ramp.Proposals like training programme of tour guides, boatmen, volunteers, Kumbh Sevamitra, vendors, policemen, and departmental officers/employees (numbering about 10,000) and providing high-speed internet (lease line) also got approval. Apart from this, the construction work of the underpass route of the new railway line near Mori Gate pumping station on Triveni Band Road also got nod.

Sanskriti GramA cultural tour for Maha Kumbh devotees

Hundreds of thousands of devotees attended Maha Kumbh-2025 and explored its cultural heritage through the unique Sanskriti Gram. Spanning five acres, the village featured various cultural and historical exhibitions using AR and VR. Additionally, 30 themed gates were built, and significant beautification projects were undertaken to enhance the city's appearance for the event.

Pad banks likely near Kumbh campus for needy women

A social organisation, ShuruaatEk Jyoti Shikha, plans to establish sanitary pad banks at the Maha Kumbh campus to aid underprivileged women. Abhishek Shukla, known as the Pad Man of Prayagraj, initiated the idea to improve menstrual hygiene. The proposal, pending approval from Mela authorities, aims to serve women working in and around the mela area.

At least 24 inmates moved from shelter home to other facilities

Following a TOI report about overcrowding and high death rates, 24 inmates were transferred from Delhi's Asha Kiran shelter home to other facilities. Despite the relocation, both Asha Deep and Asha Joyti are now also over capacity, with staffing shortages still prevalent. Efforts are underway to alleviate overcrowding within Asha Kiran itself.

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