Overview
- Prayagraj officials confirmed a two-day Makar Sankranti snan on January 14–15 at the Magh Mela, with estimates topping 1 crore devotees compared with about 28.95 lakh on the day last year.
- Magh Mela preparations include 12,100 feet of ghats with change rooms and ramps, 25,880 toilets, 3,300 sanitation workers, ODF and zero-discharge targets, bike taxis and golf carts for last-mile movement.
- To maintain water levels and quality at the Sangam, about 8,000 cusecs are being released daily from the Kanpur Ganga Barrage, all 81 drains have been tapped, and continuous monitoring is underway.
- Security and flow measures feature 17 police station zones, 42 outposts, paramilitary deployment, over 400 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, more than 8 km of deep-water barricading, extensive road diversions, and a one-way system at major Prayagraj rail stations from January 14; Prayagraj Sangam station is closed January 13–15.
- At West Bengal’s Gangasagar, officials report roughly 45 lakh holy dips since January 1, with a 24-hour auspicious window from 1:19 pm January 14 to 1:19 pm January 15, expanded bus and water fleets, ongoing dredging, QR-based guidance, wristbands to trace vulnerable pilgrims, and 80 of 84 missing persons reunited.