Allahabad: Mela police step up patrol, restrict heavy vehicles for Mahashivratri snan

ALLAHABAD: A posse of 2,000 police personnel, including mounted cops, will turn the Magh Mela premises into a fortress for Mahashivratri snan on Friday, when around 10 lakh devotees are expected to take the holy dip across 10 ghats.
To stem traffic snarls ahead of and during the ritualistic bathing, Mela police have implemented a diversion plan for heavy and commercial vehicles, restricting their entry into the city at nine points.
The restrictions at Bamrauli, Sahson crossing, Haboosa turn, Soraon bypass, Nawabganj bypass, Phaphamau Park trisection, TP Nagar crossing, Rampur crossing and Ghurpur Gate will remain effective till Friday night. Additional police pickets have been set up to manage parking along different routes leading to Sangam.
To ensure smooth final rituals, Mela officials have, on the other hand, inspected sanitation facilities, power arrangements and amenities at ghats.
IG (Prayagraj range) KP Singh told TOI that frisking people and checking vehicles were also part of the elaborate security arrangements made for the Mahashivratri snan. “Police teams are frisking individuals and checking cars on the eve of Mahashivratri at various locations, including ghats. A comprehensive traffic management plan is in place,” Singh said.
With devotees pouring in from neighbouring districts like Pratapgarh, Kaushambi and Chitrakoot in UP, and Satna and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Mela police are conducting frequent patrolling on foot and otherwise. Senior officers are reviewing arrangements.
Security has been reviewed at prominent city shrines including Mankameshwar, Padila Mahadeo, Dashashwamedh temple (Daraganj), Shivkoteshwar, Someshwar Mahadeo (Naini), Shivala (Katra), Shiva temple (Civil Lines) and Nagbasuki. Duties of magistrates and DSPs have been assigned to regulate the flow of devotees who are also expected to throng the special aarti and abhishek.