Overview
- Officials expected 20–30 lakh devotees to take the opening-day dip as Kalpvas began, with bathing starting before dawn on Saturday.
- Key bathing dates are Paush Purnima (Jan 3), Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), Mauni Amavasya (Jan 18), Basant Panchami (Jan 23), Maghi Purnima (Feb 1) and Mahashivratri (Feb 15).
- Ghats were extended to nearly 10,000 feet, nine pontoon bridges were laid with 18 police outposts at their ends, and watchtowers and signboards were set up to manage flow.
- A layered deployment includes over 1,600 constables, about 1,000 home guards, NDRF and RAF teams, 17 PAC companies, quick response units and extensive CCTV surveillance.
- Health and safety measures feature two hospitals, 50 ambulances, fire stations with hundreds of firefighters, cold-weather shelters and bonfires, plus new offerings such as the Prayagwal Nagar zone for Kalpvasis, a Mela Seva app with QR grievance points and bike taxis; helicopter and paragliding services were also reported for the first time, and overall footfall has been estimated by some reports at 12–15 crore.