A 25 km long queue of vehicles has been reported on Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh border at Chaakghat after pilgrims and vehicles moving towards Prayagraj for ‘Mahakumbh’ were stopped on the border since 5 am on Wednesday. In a bid to control the mammoth crowd arriving at Prayagraj for Mahakumbh, devotees and vehicles were stopped in all districts situated on the border of Uttar Pradesh. For two days, no one would be allowed to enter Prayagraj and all vehicles and pilgrims have been stopped 250 kms away from Prayagraj. Pilgrims trying to reach Prayagraj from Madhya Pradesh have been stopped at Chaakghat. All traffic towards Prayagraj has been stopped and traffic towards Rewa side has been cleared. Local administration with the help of locals are arranging food, water for the stranded pilgrims.

 

Till filing of this report, stranded pilgrims were moved to camps and women were seen spending time doing ‘kirtan’, singing devotional songs. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav also tweeted making an appeal to the pilgrims to be patient and to follow the orders of administration. Due to huge crowd, thousand of pilgrims have been stopped at Chaakghat of Rewa. The Chief Minister informed that police and the district are making all arrangements for food, water and accommodation of stranded pilgrims.

 

Even medical teams have been deployed on the spot. At Chaakghat, two DSPs and 50 police jawans have been deployed. For parking of vehicles, police force from Chorhata, Raipur, Mangavaon and other police station have been deployed. Police are patrolling on the highway. Vehicles going towards Prayagraj have been stopped and parked in one lane and vehicle coming from Prayagraj are being allowed through the other lane. Chaakghat City Panchayat has installed tents for pilgrims where drinking water, beddings have been arranged. After news of stampede broke, entry of vehicles was stopped at Chaakghat and then City Panchayat installed a big tent on the highway for stranded pilgrims. In the nearby marriage garden, some stranded pilgrims have been shifted. Locals are extending help to the pilgrims by providing them food and water. The district administration has moved three ambulances along with doctors and paramedical staff at Chaakghat. Medical team of CHC of surrounding areas have been kept on alert mode. In view of cold weather, quilt, mattresses and bonfire have been arranged in adequate quantity.

 

 

Vehicles have also been stopped near Bela on Satna-Rewa highway. Administration and police teams have been deployed to stop vehicles moving to Uttar Pradesh. Vehicles have been stopped at the ground near highway and now barricading has been done. In coordination with the officers of Rewa district, Satna district police force is managing the crowd moving towards Prayagraj. Rampur Baghelan police station staff and Bela police chowky staff are active and efficiently managing the crowd. All precautionary measures are being taken on Satna-UP border to ensure safety of the pilgrims. 

 

 

Following a stampede on Mauni Amavasya at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Wednesday, the Indian Railways has taken a major decision to ensure crowd safety. Railways has slowed down and stopped Mahakumbh special trains until further notice. Besides this, trains bound for Prayagraj have been halted at previous stations while some routes have been diverted. This move has led to widespread anger among passengers, prompting Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) to remain on high alert to manage the situation. West Central Railway, CPRO, Harshit Shrivastava, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ informed that following the guidelines and directions received from the Railway Headquarters, special trains being operated for Mahakumbh are being slowed down and halted at different railway stations to check overcrowding in Prayagraj after the tragic stampede. Besides this, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged devotees not to believe in any rumours and to follow the administration’s instructions. A statement from the Chief Minister’s office (CMO) stated that, “Devotees are requested to take a dip at the ghat nearest to them and avoid heading towards Sangam Nose. Please follow administrative guidelines and cooperate in maintaining law and order. Do not pay heed to any rumors.” Stampede occurred on Wednesday at Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh during Mauni Amavasya holy dip. The chaos left around 30 women injured, who were on their way to take a dip at the Sangam. Authorities are working to control the situation and ensure safety of the pilgrims.