Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela Claims 30 Lives, Prompts Sweeping Safety Measures

The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented strict crowd control measures following the tragic stampede, which occurred during one of the festival's holiest days.

At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, during the Mauni Amavasya holy bath on January 29.
The Uttar Pradesh government has declared the festival site a no-vehicle zone until February 4, restricted VIP access, and deployed additional security forces to manage crowd flow.
Eyewitnesses and survivors criticized inadequate police arrangements, with some blaming blocked pontoon bridges and last-minute VIP movements for exacerbating crowd congestion.
A three-member judicial commission has been set up to investigate the causes of the stampede, with a report expected within a month.
The tragedy has strained nearby pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Chitrakoot, as diverted pilgrims increase pressure on local resources and infrastructure.