Prayagraj: Lakhs of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh, marking the third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami. The ritual began early in the morning on Monday with Naga Sadhus leading the way, followed by other pilgrims.

Lakhs Take Holy Dip At Dawn

Over 16 lakh people had taken the dip by 4 am, bringing the total count since the beginning of the Maha Kumbh to nearly 35 crore, as per reports. Authorities anticipate at least three crore more devotees will participate throughout the day.

Given the recent tragedy where 30 people lost their lives and 60 were injured in a stampede, security measures have been significantly enhanced. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been monitoring the situation from his Lucknow residence since 3:30 am, as reported by NDTV.

To manage the massive crowd, 270 trainee IPS officers, including 77 women, have been deployed in Prayagraj. Authorities have restricted VVIP movements a day before and on major snan days to prevent overcrowding. Devotees are also being encouraged to use all available ghats instead of flocking to specific ones. Continuous aerial surveys will assess crowd density and ensure better management.

The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has already witnessed over 33 crore pilgrims. Following Basant Panchami, two more special bathing days, Maghi Purnima on February 12 and Mahashivratri on February 26, are expected to draw large crowds.

Special Buses Arranged By State Road Transport Corporation

To facilitate transportation, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has arranged 2,500 buses operating from four temporary stations to help devotees return home smoothly. Around 1,500 buses will depart from Jhunsi, 600 from Bela Kachhar for Lucknow-bound passengers, 300 from Nehru Park for Kanpur-bound travellers, and 100 for those heading to Mirzapur and Banda. Additionally, 550 shuttle buses will run every two minutes between key Maha Kumbh locations and the bus stations.

Over 1,200 Medical Peronnel On Line Of Duty

Ensuring the safety and well-being of devotees remains a priority for the UP government. Over 1,200 medical personnel have been stationed at Maha Kumbh Nagar and will remain on duty until February 6. Ambulance services are on standby and emergency patients will be transferred to Swarup Rani Nehru Hospital or Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital. Dr Gaurav Dubey, the nodal officer for medical services, confirmed that all necessary medical arrangements are in place.

With extensive planning, strict crowd control measures and continuous surveillance, the UP government aims to ensure a safe and orderly Maha Kumbh experience for millions of pilgrims.