UP CM defends Maha Kumbh spending: ‘If Rs 7,500 cr can generate Rs 3.5 lakh crore economic activity, isn’t it a wise investment?’

According to the chief minister, the spending on Maha Kumbh proved “transformative” for Prayagraj as Rs 7,500 crore was spent on building 14 new flyovers, six underpasses, over 200 widened roads, new corridors, expanded railway stations, and a modern airport terminal. “Additionally, Rs 1,500 crore was earmarked specifically for Kumbh Mela arrangements,” he said.

The chief minister claimed that if the number of pilgrims reached 60 crore, the state’s GDP could see a boost of Rs 3.25 to Rs 3.5 lakh crore.
So far, according to the CM, 53 crore people have visited Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh.

Recounting how an investor expressed interest in setting up a replica of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga made from recycled materials in Prayagraj, the chief minister said: “The investor committed to funding the project with a profit-sharing model of 50-50. The municipal corporation allocated 11 acres of land for the initiative, and I inaugurated it in the first week of January. The organisation invested Rs 14 crore, and within just 21 days, it recovered its investment and earned an equivalent profit. The municipal corporation also benefited from the revenue.”

Citing the “success” of Shivalik Park, Adityanath said that spiritual tourism has immense potential, as demonstrated during Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

At the ‘Dialogue with Young Entrepreneurs’, the chief minister also highlighted the inflow of tourists to Ayodhya where Ram Temple was inaugurated last year. “The impact is clear… In 2016-17, when there was no BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya (in a year) was merely 2.35 lakh. By 2024, this number has surged to over 14-15 crore,” Adityanath said.

Drawing parallels, the chief minister said that so far, 53 crore devotees have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam during Maha Kumbh, and “still nine more days are left” for the conclusion of the Mela.

“In the 2013 Prayagraj Kumbh, 12 crore devotees participated over 55 days. In 2019, when Ardh Kumbh took place, the number doubled to 24 crore. This year, during the 45-day Maha Kumbh, 53 crore devotees have arrived in just 36 days,” the CM said.

He also pointed out that the Mela was earlier confined to 1,000 acres earlier. “By 2013, it was expanded to 2,000 acres, and this time, the Mela area has been further increased to a massive 10,000 acres,” the CM said.

Highlighting the logistical efforts to accommodate the surge of people to Prayagraj, Adityanath said: “In just 35 days, 40 routine flights and over 700 chartered flights arrived. The Railways has been operating hundreds of special trains daily, while the State Transport Corporation has deployed a fleet of 14,000 buses to facilitate the travel of people. From January 28 to 30, 15 crore devotees took holy dip. On January 28, around 5.5 crore devotees came, followed by 8 crore on January 29, and 2.5 crore on January 30.”

At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede at the Sangam in the early hours of January 29 after a large number of pilgrims gathered for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya. While the chief minister has ordered a judicial probe and called it a “conspiracy”, the Opposition has been hitting out at the BJP government, accusing it of negligence and mishandling. The Allahabad High Court is also hearing a PIL which has sought action against responsible officials.

Meanwhile, another stampede took place at New Delhi railway station last Saturday (February 15) as a large number of people gathered to board trains to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh. At least 18 people were killed in the stampede there.