A week left, a sudden surge in footfall at Kumbh

The mayor said that the authorities concerned in Prayagraj and Kumbh informed them that the bus they had planned to use would not be allowed into the Kumbh area. As a result, they would have had to park it around 15 km away. “So, we decided to cancel the Kumbh visit,” she said. Lucknow has a total of 110 corporators.

However, devotees from across the country continue to arrive in large numbers, leading to further swelling crowds on roads, at railway stations and within the mela area. Hotels and dharamshalas are fully occupied, with advance bookings in place.

The massive surge of pilgrims is also reflected in a report by the Kumbh Mela administration, which says that over one crore devotees have visited the site in the past four days. On Tuesday alone, 1.26 crore pilgrims arrived, following 1.35 crore on Monday, 1.49 crore on Sunday, and 1.36 crore on Saturday. The report further highlights that on Friday (February 14), the footfall was 94.98 lakh, while on Thursday (February 13), it stood at 80.46 lakh.

By evening on Wednesday, 1.19 crore pilgrims had arrived at the Kumbh and taken dip.

The Kumbh which began on January 13, the total number of pilgrims who have taken a holy dip has reached nearly 56 crore till date.

Officials could not pinpoint the reason behind the sudden surge in pilgrims. Initially, it was believed to be due to the weekend, but the high footfall on Monday and Tuesday has left everyone surprised.

The Prayagraj administration and police have once again implemented extensive security measures to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims in the area. Visitors arriving from other cities must park their vehicles at designated lots on the city’s outskirts and travel to the Kumbh Mela site using government transport or other available modes, including unauthorised motorcycle services operating in the district. Prayagraj Sangam railway station which is located near the Mela area, has been closed to prevent overcrowding, a measure previously implemented on peak days.

Inside the Kumbh area, massive crowds on the roads have led to a ban on vehicle movement. Pilgrims are not allowed to remain in one place or at the ghats for an extended period, with the Kumbh administration ensuring a “continuous flow, movement.”

It is believed that the footfall might have increased after the Prayagraj district clarified that the Maha Kumbh would not be extended beyond February 26, the scheduled final day. The clarification came in the wake of speculation online about a ‘possible extension’.

Prayagraj District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar has clarified that the Kumbh Mela schedule is set in advance based on auspicious timings and will conclude as planned on February 26. He emphasized that there is no proposal from the government or administration to extend the Mela beyond this date and urged devotees not to be misled by false information circulating online.

He reassured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure smooth rituals and bathing at the Sangam, with a well-coordinated traffic management plan in place to facilitate movement without disrupting daily life in Prayagraj.

In light of the heavy influx, schools upto class eight have been closed until February 20, with further orders pending, and institutions have been directed to conduct online classes. Additionally, traffic diversions and crowd control measures have been put in place to manage the growing rush efficiently.

The DM also addressed concerns about board examinations, confirming that no student has missed an exam so far. Authorities had earlier advised students and parents to reach exam centers well in advance, a directive that has been strictly followed, he said adding that CBSE and ICSE boards have decided to provide a second opportunity at the end of the examination period for students who may have missed their scheduled tests.