CM Yogi’s pre-dawn vigil on Amrit Snan from war room

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a high level meeting from the war room at his Lucknow residence at 3.30am on Monday, to keep a close watch on the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh. Sources said that as part of the measures put in after the Mauni Amavasya stampede, the CM decided to personally monitor the situation at the Kumbh Mela grounds and took regular updates from all officials concerned about crowds and crowd management.A govt spokesperson said the CM took regular updates from senior officials on ground and in Lucknow about the arrangements in Prayagraj, including the DGP, principal secretary (home) and officials of the Chief Minister's Office. Based on the inputs he received, the CM issued directions and suggested actions for better crowd management."Reviewing security and logistical preparations for the event, Yogi emphasized that there should be seamless arrangements for devotees and visitors, instructing officials to ensure that devotees face no inconvenience in their efforts to take the holy dip on the occasion of the Amrit Snan. He directed authorities to maintain stringent security at the bathing site and finalize all essential arrangements for the devotees," said govt spokesperson.Just days after the stampede on Mauni Amavasya on Jan 29, where at least 30 persons lost their lives, the Basant Panchami snan was the next big event where govt's arrangements were tested. Based on inputs from senior officials, including the DGP and chief secretary, who had visited the Mela site after the stampede, govt had put in additional measures to ensure that no untoward incident would take place. Displaying administrative readiness for Monday's event, the CM placed special focus on security measures and traffic management at the Mela site, ensuring smooth participation of thousands of devotees in the holy dip at Sangam and in the Ganga.