After Maha Kumbh stampede, UP government cancels VVIP passes, declares area no-vehicle zone
At least 30 persons were killed and 60 injured after a stampede broke out at the site of Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday.
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The Uttar Pradesh administration on Thursday declared the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj a no-vehicle zone and revoked all very very important person, or VVIP passes, a day after a stampede killed at least 30 people and injured 60 others near the Sangam Ghat, The Indian Express reported.
“It has been communicated that VVIP passes have been revoked, meaning special passes will no longer allow vehicle entry,” the newspaper quoted an unidentified officer on security duty as saying.
The stampede broke out between 1 am and 2 am on Wednesday as a large number of pilgrims arrived to take a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, a spiritually significant day in the Hindu calendar.
Authorities have now made the roads leading to the pilgrimage site one-way to facilitate the smoother movement of devotees.
Directives have also been issued to completely ban cars from entering the city of Prayagraj until February 4. Additionally, vehicles from adjoining districts will be stopped at the district borders.
A large number of police personnel have been stationed at the Sangam Ghat – where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge – to manage the flow of devotees and ensure that they vacate the area promptly after taking a dip.
Street vendors have been directed to move...
