Arunachal gets invitation for Kumbh Mela

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: The Uttar Pradesh Government has extended invitation to the state government and the people of Arunachal Pradesh to Kumbh Mela, scheduled to be held at Prayagraj (Allahabad) from January 15 to March 4 next year.

Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent) for Rural Development Dr Mahendra Singh who arrived here on Thursday as an emissary of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to extend the invitation, informed that his government is endeavouring to provide a devotionally and spiritually changed atmosphere to pilgrims coming to Kumbh. “Over 5000 NRIs will visit the Kumbh owing to the joint efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while people from six lakh villages of India along with the overseas devotees from 92 countries will participate,” he told a press conference here.

The minister disclosed that with a total investment of 4, 200 crore for the Kumbh along with projects of stable development related to the event, the state government had set up 5000 camps for accommodating devotees.

“Nine bridges over Ganga and Yamuna rivers have been constructed along with 150 new roads to facilitate easy movement of people coming to the Kumbh. Moreover, the government had installed 40,700 LED bulbs in the venue covering a total area of 3, 200 hectares,” Singh informed. The minister added that several hospitals with capacity for 7000 patients have been constructed while, 40 police stations along with three women police stations have been set up which would be manned by 50,000 police personnel.

“We have laid 800 kilometers of pipelines to provide drinking water including 95 parking lots besides installing 1, 135 CCTV cameras and constructing 1, 22, 500 toilets in the venue,” he disclosed and added that 40 ATMs have been installed for convenience of the devotees besides erecting 34 mobile towers. The minister was accompanied by RD Commissioner N P Singh, earlier in the day called on Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra at Raj Bhawan here and Chief Minister Pema Khandu at his office and extended invitations to the month-long event. During the meeting with Governor, they discussed about various bilateral state issues including Ek Bharat Srestha Bharat programme.

The Governor advised for facilitating youth and student interactive programmes through tours and visits and for that the best start can be made during the Kumbh.

Also read: Culture of North-Eastern India to be showcased in Mahakumbha Mela