A day after a deadly stampede at the Sangam in Prayagraj, the administration has issued several directives to manage the crowds and ensure the safety of devotees. All VIP passes have been cancelled, and the entire Maha Kumbh area has been declared a no-vehicle zone.
The entry of vehicles from all adjoining districts has been banned, with instructions to stop these vehicles outside Prayagraj city until February 4. The administration has also introduced one-way routes for devotees to avoid overcrowding at the ghats and returning after a dip.
A large number of devotees were stopped at the district border, and entry was regulated in small groups to prevent overcrowding. However, later in the day, security teams started letting devotees enter the city area in controlled batches.
The police presence is heavy at the Sangam Nose and ghats, where additional barricades have been installed to ensure the orderly flow of crowds. Devotees are being told to take a dip upon arrival and vacate the area without delay.
In a preliminary inquiry into the stampede incident, security agencies found that most victims were those who had been resting at the Sangam Nose and ghats, often waiting for the auspicious time to take the dip or hoping to meet sadhus and members of the Akharas.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/day-after-maha-kumbh-stampede-vip-passes-cancelled-no-vehicle-zone-curbs-on-routes-9808677