PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haridwar
With the Fair Administration having intensified preparations to ensure a glitch-free Kumbh Mela 2027, the Mela Adhikari, Sonika stated that they are going all-out to ensure convenience, safety and ease of the devotees, as well as keeping the Kumbh Mela area clean and beautiful. “This is our top priority,” she said. She further said that in accordance with the consensus of the Akharas and ascetics and the commitment of the State government, a comprehensive action plan is being drawn up,” she added.
She stated that an outlay of Rs 1,224 crore is proposed for the Kumbh Mela arrangements. “The government has already approved 35 permanent works costing Rs 219 crore, of which work has begun on approximately two dozen projects, while the remaining will begin soon. Several projects related to roads, bridges and Ghats are in progress,” she informed
Speaking at the Press Club Haridwar’s ‘Samvad’ programme, the Mela Adhikari said that real-time monitoring via CCTV is being implemented at all sites to monitor the quality and progress of work. “Third-party inspections will be conducted by three institutions, including IIT Roorkee and reports will be sent to the State government every three months,” she said.
An Integrated Control and Command Centre is being set up, promoting digital management. The Kumbh area will be pedestrian-friendly and special arrangements will be made for the elderly and local residents during major bathing festivals. Parking and shuttle services will be provided at entry points to the city. NHAI has been requested to widen narrow lanes and intersections, along with the expansion of the narrow section of the Chandi Chowk-Najibabad National Highway.
