New Delhi: Around 50,000 police personnel will be stationed at Prayagraj, which is set to turn into a fortress during the grand Maha Kumbh Mela scheduled to begin 13 January, ThePrint has learnt.
According to sources in the Uttar Pradesh Police, 40,000 personnel will be from the state itself, and the remaining 10,000 will include paramilitary forces. Additionally, the National Security Guard, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and UP Fire Services will also be stationed. Moreover, 56 well-rehearsed contingency units will be in place to tackle any law and order problems or stampede-like situation, the sources added.
The UP Police has also started round-the-clock surveillance on social media accounts, and elaborate check points have also been set up across Pragyagraj.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, will conclude on 25 February, and is estimated to see over 45 crore people visitors.
As part of the massive security plan, about 3,000 CCTV cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for facial recognition purposes and drones will be put up for real-time surveillance. Moreover, 10 technical booths will be set up for lost and found purposes.
“Missing persons can be reported as well as items lost during the Maha Kumbh. A technical team will assist people and the CCTV of the area from which one goes missing will be checked and the route mapped. Since we are AI-equipped, missing persons will be traced in no time following the route of CCTV camera footage,” a source in the UP police told ThePrint.
The AI-powered booths will also be equipped with language translations, senior officials told ThePrint, as people from all over the country will be visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela. Moreover, a special area will also be designated for lost persons to assemble till they meet their family members. This area, a hall, will also have a special region only for lost children—with toys.
“Special soft skill training has been given to personnel on duty to tackle missing persons’ cases and other contingency situations,” another source said.
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7 layered security, 15 entry points identified
According to sources, a seven-layered security system will be in place for the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Speaking to ThePrint, another senior police officer, who wished not to be named, said, “The first security point is the India-Nepal border, followed by the Pragyajraj zone border. Entry security points are also being beefed up at the Pragyajraj district border. Multiple security points are in place in the isolation zone—Sangam, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers—where devotees will take a dip.”
Sources also said it is estimated that 80 to 85 percent people will be travelling to the Maha Kumbh Mela via roads either in cars, buses or on foot. About 10 to 12 percent will be travelling by train to enter Prayagraj and the rest via air.
“Six major entry points via road and nine major railway stations have been identified from where the devotees will be reaching the city. Security will be stationed at all these points,” the officer explained.
As far as VIPs are concerned, the officer said that on the peak six days, they will have to leave their cars and walk for five kilometres. On regular days in the Maha Kumbh Mela, VIPs will have to walk for just one kilometre.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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