Maha Kumbh 2025: Prayagraj cops to master different languages to assist foreigners

PRAYAGRAJ: Language will no longer be a barrier for foreigners during Maha Kumbh 2025 as cops deployed on duty during the mega religious affair on the banks of Sangam will be learning German, Spanish, Japanese, French and Russian apart from English to help the visitors in a better way.
Senior range cops have mooted a proposal to train a group of at least 50 policemen as 'tourist cops'.
Acknowledging that a significant 24 crore visitors, including 10.30 lakh foreigners, had visited 2019 Kumbh and 2025 Maha Kumbh is likely to witness even higher footfall, the mela police authorities would not be leaving any stone unturned to welcome the guests, particularly foreigners, in their own languages.
Inspector general of police (Prayargaj range) Dr Rakesh Singh told TOI exclusively, "Apart from chalking out elaborate security and safety plans in view of 2025 Mahakumbh, senior cops have also mooted a proposal to train police staff to welcome foreign guests in their own languages."
He added "We would be engaging language experts from universities or foreign language centers to impart training to male and female cops."
The IG further said: "As the flow of both domestic and international tourists is expected to be more compared to 2019 Kumbh, we would be chalking out plans and strategy accordingly and engaging more force to ensure safety and security of pilgrims and devotees. Moreover, stress is being laid to offer better facilities to visitors coming from southern states as well as abroad."
As per records, the 2019 Maha Kumbh and 2013 Kumbh visitors included 10.30 lakh and 3 lakh foreign tourists respectively.
Senior range cops, however, feel that the Sanagm city, apart from being an important tourist destination during mega religious events, is also a major tourist hub for national and international flyers.
At times, foreigners face problems related to transport, accommodation and tourism related information. They often fall victim to cheats and touts, whereby they end up losing belongings and valuables. Hence, a dedicated unit - tourist mela police-- will assist them during the 2025 mega religious event.
"Cops will be trained to treat visitors politely and sympathetically," said a senior cop adding "There is a good strength of policemen who speak English and they will be assigned special classes to learn other foreign languages."
Besides, cops would also function as guide-cum-friends for the visitors from southern states as well as foreigners who don't have any idea about the locations at the mela area. There would also be maps of the mela area providing navigating facilities to visitors.