By
Samachar Vishesh News
Chandigarh
29th December:- Rajesh Agarwal, Finance Minister of
Uttar Pradesh announced the details of Kumbh Mela starting at Prayagraj (former
Allahabad) from January 15, 2019, during a Press Conference at Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII) here today. CII is the National Partner to the Government
of Uttar Pradesh for the Kumbh Mela 2019.
Giving
the details of the Kumbh, Rajesh Agarwal, said that this holy event is
organised at four places in the country. The event held at Prayagraj in itself
is the subject of special curiosity and attraction for the country and the world. Following the efforts made by
the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, UNESCO, has included Kumbh in the list of
"Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
He
shared that following the efforts made by the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath
Ji, the historical and mythological importance has been restored by changing its name to Prayagraj as
per the sentiments of the people. The Uttar Pradesh Government under the
leadership of the Chief Minister is making elaborate arrangements for
successful organisation of Prayagraj Kumbh- 2019.
He
added that the state government is endeavoring to provide a devotionally and
spiritually changed atmosphere to pilgrims coming to Kumbh. Over 5000 NRIs will
also visit the Kumbh owing to the joint efforts made by the Prime Minister and the Chief
Minister. People from over 6 lakh villages of India along with the overseas
devotees will participate in
Kumbh Mela 2019.
He
said further that the state government earmarked an amount of Rs 2800 crore for
Kumbh Mela 2019 along with the various projects of stable development. Besides,
work of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj
with a total amount of Rs 4300 crore from other budget. Under these projects,
works of basic infrastructural facilities like roads, bridges, drinking water
schemes electricity improvement, tourism developmental etc have been done. Following the efforts made by the state government and the
cooperation extended by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, the
devotees coming to the Kumbh will have an opportunity for the first time in the
last 450 years to pray at 'Akshay Vat' and 'Sarasvati Koop'. Keeping this in
view, the state government has beautified all the places directly or indirectly
linked to the Kumbh.
Kumbh is organised at
Prayagraj after every six years and Magh Mela every year. To ensure continuity
of developmental process, the state government has constituted Prayagraj Mela
Authority. Under the Kumbh related works, 671 people welfare projects have been
completed during the last one and a half years. Of these, most of the projects
are related to the stable developmental works.
He shared
that for smooth traffic movement, the state government has constructed nine
flyovers in only last one and a half years. The Bridge Corporation has created
a record by constructing in a short period of 14 months a 4-lane wide and 1325
metre long flyover on a single pillar in front of Hon’ble High Court in
Prayagraj city area. Similarly, another record has been created by completing only
in a year time,
a 1.0 km long ROB at
a height of
16.00 metre at Rambag. In the densely populated areas of the city, 6 railway
under passes have been widened to 4-lane within a year, which have smoothened
city traffic movement for the citizens of Prayagraj.
Ambassadors
of about 71 countries have
witnessed the preparations
for this grand event. They have unfurled the national flag of their countries
on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area. A conference on NRI Day is being
organised in Varanasi in January.
The
efforts made by the state government resulted in setting up of a new city in
the huge Mela area, which has 250 km long roads and 22 pontoon bridges. It will
be the largest temporary city of the world. Keeping in view arrival of devotees
in a large number, availability of electricity has been made more effective by
streamlining energy infrastructure in Prayagraj. For the first time, the Mela
area is being brightened up by installing over 40,000 LED lights.
The
Government of India has made a historic increase in number of flights by getting constructed a new air civil
terminal in Prayagraj. Prayagraj has been connected through air route to
Bengaluru, Indore, Nagpur, Patna etc. A heliport is also being set up here and
arrangements are being made to provide the facility of helicopter joy ride to
tourists.
For
the first time, the Kumbh Mela Area has been brought under the surveillance of
Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV Cameras. As many as 1,22,000
toilets have been constructed and sanitary staff more than double in number as
compare to the previous Kumbh have been deployed in Prayagraj Kumbh 2019.
Campaigns
are in full swing everywhere to ensure that the banks of Ganga and Triveni
remain clean and the water of Ganga Ji remains pollution free. Swachchh Bharat
Mission and Namami Gange project are being successfully
executed in Prayagraj. So far, 32 nullahs (drains) opening in the Ganga have
been sealed. To control pollution in the Ganga, 04 schemes are being
implemented in Prayagraj under the Namami Gange Programme. Out of these, two
schemes have been completed and 90% work has been completed on the remaining
two.
For
the first time in Kumbh Mela arrangements are being made to set up Ganga Pandal
with a capacity of 10,000 persons, Pravachan Pandal with a capacity of 1000 and
4 cultural pavilions, where cultural programmes will be staged continuously.
