Preparations for Maha Kumbh Mela gained momentum
Prayagraj: Preparations for the Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in January next year are gaining momentum. The entire administration is already busy organizing this great event. To provide a wonderful experience to the devotees and tourists visiting here, the entire fair area is being decorated with 485 designer lanterns at a cost of Rs 8 million. Superintending Engineer Mahakumbh Manoj Gupta said that with this initiative of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, these otherworldly poles and lights will be seen welcoming devotees on all major roads leading to Sangam. He said Red Road, Black Road, Triveni Marg and all major parade routes in the fair area are being illuminated with attractive decorative lights. The official said that these lights are dedicated to Lord Shankar, Ganesha and Vishnu, which will give devotees an experience of spiritual peace and beauty.
Gupta said that this time instead of temporary pillars, permanent pillars have been constructed, which will maintain the beauty of the area even after the Maha Kumbh Mela. He said each pole was decorated with Kalash and figures of gods and goddesses. Gupta said these works will be completed by December 15, making the fair area visible at night. Sub-Divisional Officer (Fair) Abhinav Pathak said that the Prayagraj Fair Authority has appointed all the ‘Sector Magistrates’ and most of the Sector Magistrates have taken charge. He said these ‘Sector Magistrates’ will be responsible for everything from land acquisition to administration in their respective sectors. The official said that the 4,000-hectare fairgrounds have been divided into 25 sectors. He said that during Mahakumbh, the ‘Sector Magistrate’ will act as a link between the general public and the administration.
Special vehicles to be deployed for fire safety in Hakumbh
For the first time, the UP government is deploying special vehicles called ‘All Terrain Vehicles’ at Maha Kumbh which will be able to reach the spot in seconds to extinguish the fire. Chief Fire Officer (Kumbh) Pramod Sharma said that these vehicles are equipped with all modern firefighting equipment and will be able to travel at full speed even in sand, swamps and shallow water. In case of emergency, trained personnel from the fire department will be able to set it up and monitor the entire fair area. He said that these vehicles will be used for the first time in Maha Kumbh Mela, for which four ‘all-terrain vehicles’ have arrived at Prayagraj and fire personnel are being trained to operate and use them. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath may inaugurate these four battery-powered vehicles and other equipment on November 25.
Sharma said four “all-terrain vehicles” have been brought to Prayagraj from Germany. The Chief Minister himself will point out these vehicles which cost around Rs 2.5 crore. He said the vehicle is equipped with fire-fighting equipment including water tanks, taps and pumps, which will allow officers to take immediate action in the event of a fire, thus preventing the spread of fire. Sharma said that apart from normal firefighting equipment, these vehicles also have air compressor and a ‘Vampak fire extinguisher’. In this way, up to nine liters of water can be sprayed with the gun. He said it can also put out flammable liquid fires and prevent them from reigniting.
He said in most major fire incidents, crews are often faced with congested areas, making firefighting efforts difficult. Sharma said that when there is a large crowd present in all areas of the fair, in emergency situations these vehicles will be able to reach the venue within a few seconds. This vehicle is capable of moving in sand, mud and rough terrain, as well as in shallow water. This vehicle can travel at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
