During the press conference, the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs reminded, “Many of you may have witnessed the ‘divine and grand’ experience of the Prayagraj Kumbh in 2019, which became an indelible symbol of India’s cultural pride on the global stage. The world widely acknowledged the efficient management of the event.” He further emphasized that this year’s Mahakumbh will surpass the previous one in both grandeur and divine essence. Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025 is expected to welcome over 450 million pilgrims, saints, ascetics, and tourists. In preparation, the Uttar Pradesh government has made meticulous and timely arrangements.
During his address to the press, the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs stated, “Under the inspiration and guidance of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, the Mahakumbh will take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025, on the sacred banks of the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Mahakumbh will once again be held on the holy land of Prayag after a gap of 12 years.”
Swachh, Swasth, Surakshit and Harit Mahakumbh
Addressing the media regarding the preparations for the Mahakumbh, the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs informed, “It would be a clean, healthy, safe and digital Mahakumbh. A pledge has been taken to make the event environment friendly by declaring it a single-use plastic-free Mahakumbh. As part of this initiative, various shops of dona-pattal vendors will be allocated within the Mela area, and meetings have been conducted with principals of 400 schools to discuss cleanliness and the initiative of a clean Maha Kumbh is being communicated to 4 lakh children and 5 times the population of Prayagraj. Furthermore, under the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, the message of a single-use plastic-free environment is being delivered to every household.”
He highlighted that special emphasis has been placed on making Mahakumbh Mela 2025 both clean and green. Approximately three lakh plants have been cultivated across Prayagraj, with the Uttar Pradesh government pledging to ensure their care and maintenance even after the conclusion of the Mela.
Comprehensive healthcare services for pilgrims, sadhus, saints, and tourists
The Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs informed that the preparations for the Mahakumbh Mela are being made with a focus on health and hygiene. This includes making healthcare arrangements for pilgrims, sadhus, saints, those observing Kalpwas at Mahakumbh and tourists. A large number of specialist doctors have been deployed. A 100-bed hospital has been set up at the Parade Ground. Two more hospitals with 20 beds each and smaller hospitals with 8 beds have also been prepared. Two 10-bed ICUs have been set up by the Army Hospital at the Mela area and Arail. These hospitals will have doctors on duty 24 hours a day. In total, there will be 291 MBBS doctors and specialists, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani specialists, and 182 nursing staff. Moreover, separate wards for male, female and children have been set up in these hospitals. Delivery rooms, emergency wards and doctors’ rooms will also be available.
Devotees will also experience the digital Mahakumbh – Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs
Addressing the press, the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs stated that the Uttar Pradesh government is committed to organizing a divine, grand, and digital Maha Kumbh. The preparations include the launch of a dedicated website and app, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages, QR-based passes for people and vehicles, a multilingual digital lost-and-found center, ICT monitoring for cleanliness and tents, software for land and facility allocation, multilingual digital signage (VMD), an automated ration supply system, drone-based surveillance and disaster management, live software for monitoring 530 projects, an inventory tracking system, and integration of all locations on Google Maps.
Smart parking facilities will be provided for the convenience of tourists – Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs
Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs informed that arrangements have been made to ensure tourists do not face parking issues. In this regard, 101 smart parking facilities have been created, capable of accommodating up to five lakh vehicles daily. The parking area spans 1,867.04 hectares, which is 763.75 hectares larger compared to the 1,103.29 hectares allocated for parking in 2019. These parking facilities will be monitored through the Integrated Control Command Center.
Arrangements for clean drinking water, an Integrated Control Command Center, and flower showers at 44 ghats, including the riverfront
During the press conference, the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs provided details about the arrangements for the Mahakumbh. He informed that 35 existing permanent ghats and 9 new ghats have been constructed in the Mahakumbh city to facilitate bathing for devotees. Aerial flower showers will be carried out across all 44 ghats spread over a 12-kilometer area. He further mentioned that a riverfront, modeled after Mumbai’s Marine Drive, has been developed along a 15.25-kilometer stretch on the banks of the Ganges, extending from the Sangam to Nagvasuki Temple, Surdas to Chhatnag, and near Curzon Bridge to Mahavir Puri. Additionally, the Integrated Control Command Center has been upgraded to enhance crowd management. Four viewing centers, equipped with 52-seater setups, have been established for real-time CCTV monitoring.
Headcount of pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh will be done through technology
The Cabinet Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs stated that approximately 450 million devotees are expected to attend Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, marking a significant milestone. Three technical methods will be used to count every individual.
The first method is attribute-based search, where tracking will be conducted using person attribute search cameras. The second method involves RFID wristbands, which will be provided to pilgrims. Through these wristbands, entry and exit times will be tracked using RFID readers. The third method is mobile app tracking, where, with the consent of the pilgrims, their location will be tracked through GPS using a mobile application.
Mahakumbh is an eternal and unified proclamation of India’s unity in diversity
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) Backward Class Welfare, Divyangjan Empowerment- Shri Narendra Kumar Kashyap stated that the Kumbh is not merely a fair or a ritualistic dip in the holy waters but an eternal and unified proclamation of India’s unity in diversity. The Mahakumbh is a grand festival that immerses all differences, disputes, and divisions in the sacred flow of the river, serving as a unique example of social harmony. This festival holds special significance not only for the entirety of India but also for followers of Indian culture worldwide.
Shri Kashyap emphasized that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s double-engine government is uniquely showcasing the cultural, spiritual, traditional, and mythological essence of the rare and highly distinguished religious event of Mahakumbh on the global stage. The state government is extending invitations for Mahakumbh-2025, the grand festival of Sanatan Indians, to all states across India and the entire world. In this context, we have come to you with a humble request to participate in this sacred pilgrimage.
The forum was actively participated by approximate 80 dignitaries comprising of senior journalists from leading media houses, travel and tour operators, travel bloggers, influencers and a few Industrialists of the region.