Prayagraj: Elaborate security arrangements have been made for pilgrims, devotees and kalpwasis ahead of Basant Panchmi snan on Tuesday and the Magh Mela campus has been into a fortress with ATS and STF commandos, and personnel of para military forces also being deployed.
The Basant Panchmi snan is considered a local snan and hence local residents will also be going besides pilgrims, sadhus, and kalpwasis and hence security has been beefed up in and around mela campus.
ATS and STF commandos and personnel of para military forces have also been deployed to keep a strict vigil and tackle any incident.
SP (Magh Mela) Dr Rajiv Narayan Mishra said on Monday, “The diversion plan has been implemented from Monday evening in view of Basant Panchmi snan and will continue till Wednesday night. The entry of vehicles towards Sangam has been restricted.”
Mela police have started crowd and traffic management for the fourth main snan of the ongoing Magh Mela, and teams of jal police, NDRF and PAC flood relief personnel have been deployed at the ghats, he added.
Astrologer Amitabh Gour told TOI that Panchmi Tithi will start at 3.36am on Tuesday and will continue till 5.46am on Wednesday. The entire day is considered auspicious, but the right time for doing Saraswati Puja is in the afternoon, he added.
Parking arrangements have been made at five prominent spots, including plot number 17, pontoon bridge workshop, Galla Mandi (Daraganj), Helipad parking, and Kali Sadak so that devotees don’t have to walk much to reach Sangam.
Mela police have also appealed to visitors to keep a small note with name of child and parents, address, and mobile numbers in pockets of their children as a precaution in case they get separated.
Public address system is being used to create awareness about Covid-19 protocol.