Magh Mela: Sankranti snan on two days, admin makes elaborate arrangements in Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: With the Makar Sankranti falling on two days this time on January 14 and 15, the Magh Mela authorities and the district administration have made a foolproof plan to ensure that the first major snan of the annual religious fair is glitch-free.
A review meeting was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of additional director general of police Bhanu Bhaskar where decisions like developing the holding area for crowd management at railway stations and bus stands, providing information related to arrival and departure of trains, establishing inter-departmental coordination, operationalising of Covid helpdesks at all 17 entrances points of the fair and at all ghats etc were taken.
Officials were instructed to provide information related to arrival and departure of trains on LED screens installed in the Mela area and to activate all four holding areas at Prayagraj Junction during rush hour and prevent unnecessary crowds from leaving or going to railway stations and bus stands.
Senior officials also observed the contingency plan prepared by the railways and instructed to prepare a list of all inter-departmental senior officials related to crowd management and make it available to everyone along with their phone numbers. The responsibility of 14 holding areas being built in the city has been given to the additional district magistrate (city).
Instructions were also given for intensive checking of all passengers coming from outside and regular announcements through the PA system at prominent places.
Likewise, identification of ambulances and nearest hospitals, keeping the medical response team ready for every situation, activating green corridor in case of emergency, increasing the number of ambulances and stationing them at strategic locations, preparing a contingency plan in view of stampede and saving people in case of fire were also discussed.
In view of Covid, wearing masks and following social distancing has also been suggested as per government advisory.
At present, about 30 ambulances have been deployed in the mela area, but in view of the crowd, their numbers will be increased.
As many as 14 fire stations have been arranged in the fair area and 50 motor boats and 100 boats have been arranged by the water police.