Massive Footfall Expected at Upcoming Magh Mela: CM Yogi Adityanath Reviews Preparations
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday visited Prayagraj to offer prayers at the sacred Ganga and to seek blessings at the Bade Hanuman Temple.
Following his ritual offerings, the Chief Minister conducted an extensive inspection of the Magh Mela area and later chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials at the Prayagraj Mela Authority auditorium.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister projected that nearly 12 to 15 crore devotees are expected to visit Prayagraj during the Magh Mela scheduled from January to February next year.
Among them, an estimated 20 to 25 lakh Kalpvasis will stay for a month-long period of spiritual observance at the Sangam.
Yogi Adityanath emphasised that the widespread national and international promotion of the Maha Kumbh 2025 has significantly increased public enthusiasm, and this has directly contributed to expectations of a larger footfall in the upcoming Magh Mela.
In comparison to the 2024 event, the scale of this year’s arrangements has been considerably expanded.
The Mela area is being developed over nearly 800 hectares, divided into seven sectors for efficient management and smooth movement of pilgrims.
The Public Works Department is constructing seven pontoon bridges, while 160 kilometres of chequered plate flooring will be laid across the Mela premises to facilitate crowd movement.
The Irrigation Department, meanwhile, is ensuring a supply of 10,000 cusecs of clean water during the festival period.
Unprecedented Security Measures
The Chief Minister assured that foolproof security will be in place throughout the Mela grounds. Police deployment has already been finalised, including the posting of Superintendents of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, Circle Officers, and other personnel.
Security arrangements include:
- 17 fully functional police stations
- 42 police outposts
- 20 fire tenders
- 7 fire stations
- 20 fire watchtowers
- 1 dedicated water police station
- 1 main water police control room
- 4 sub-control rooms of the water police
These measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of every devotee across the land and river zones of the vast Mela area.
Strengthened Healthcare and Utilities
To address medical needs during the month-long congregation, the Health Department is setting up:
- Two hospitals with 20 beds each
- 12 Primary Health Centres
- 5 Homoeopathic hospitals
- 5 Ayurvedic centres
- 50 ambulances are stationed across the Mela
Additionally, to ensure uninterrupted electricity, the Power Department is laying 47 kilometres of High-Tension (HT) lines and 360 kilometres of Low-Tension (LT) lines inside the Mela area.
Higher Attendance Expected on Major Snan Parv (Holy Bathing Days)
Officials predict a significant increase in attendance during the major bathing festivals compared to previous years. The projected footfall for 2025–26 is markedly higher than the numbers recorded in 2023–24.
Estimated Footfall on Major Snan Parv
| Snan Parv | Devotees (2023–24) | Estimated Devotees (2025–26) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 January – Paush Purnima | 9.80 lakh | 15–16 lakh |
| 15 January – Makar Sankranti | 28.95 lakh | 40–50 lakh |
| 18 January – Mauni Amavasya | 2.76 crore | 3.25–3.50 crore |
| 23 January – Vasant Panchami | 42 lakh | 55–60 lakh |
| 1 February – Maghi Purnima | 38.20 lakh | 50–55 lakh |
| 15 February – Mahashivratri | 9.70 lakh | 15–16 lakh |
With the scale of preparations, infrastructural upgrades, and security deployments, the government aims to ensure that the upcoming Magh Mela is one of the safest, most organised, and most spiritually fulfilling gatherings for devotees from India and abroad.
