Overview
- Mela officials reported over 31 lakh devotees had bathed by 8 pm on opening day, with more than 4 lakh Kalpvasis beginning their month-long observance.
- A multi-tier security net is in place with thousands of police and home guards, NDRF and RAF teams, PAC companies, ATS/NIA presence, watchtowers, drones and over 1,500 CCTV cameras monitored from the ICCC.
- Pilgrim infrastructure has been expanded with ghats extended to roughly 10,000 feet, nine pontoon bridges, two hospitals, 50 ambulances, extensive changing rooms and a 500-bed night shelter.
- New measures include the dedicated Prayagwal Nagar township for Kalpvasis, bike-taxi access, an official logo, and a Mela Seva app with QR-code grievance registration.
- Authorities project 12–15 crore visitors through February 15, with key dates ahead—Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), Mauni Amavasya (Jan 18), Basant Panchami (Jan 23), Maghi Purnima (Feb 1)—and inspections continue on temporary closures of about 350 Kanpur industrial units to protect Ganga water quality.