Roads to Allahabad to be toll-free till Kumbh

LUCKNOW: The UP government is planning to make all roads leading to Allahabad toll-free till the end of the Kumbh Mela.

It will write to the Centre shortly to allow making all toll plazas in a radius of 50km of Allahabad toll-free between December 15 and March 15. Officials said this would not just make travelling convenient but also reduce chances of traffic congestion at toll plazas in the

light of the massive number of people expected to travel to Allahabad for the Kumbh. Chief secretary Anup Chandra Pandey, in a review meeting to assess progress of work, directed officials to install handpumps along all major roads leading to the host city and ensure drinking water availability at all parking places. The government has also taken a decision to hoist flags of 195 countries at the mela venue. Directions have also been given to set up digital signages in all major Indian languages and some foreign languages in a radius of 30km of Allahabad.

“The CS has also assigned a day when guests attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas programme in neighbouring Varanasi, and other foreign dignitaries will be taken to visit the Kumbh. The tourism department has been told to ensure chopper services and a laser show on the wall of the Allahabad fort,” said sources.