BONANZA FOR BOATMEN AS MELA ADMIN INCREASES FARES BY 50%

River traffic mgmt plan: State's Dial 112 service will also set up its floating station to support safety plan

- Kenneth John

MAHAKUMBH NAGAR (PRAYAGRAJ): Following the model of road traffic management, the Jal police has implemented an extensive river traffic and safety management plan for Maghakumbh-2025, covering a 12-kilometer area and manning the movement of 4000 boats.

Similar to road dividers and traffic islands, floating river line dividers and river traffic islands, manned by Jal Police, will regulate two-way boat movement at Sangam.

The safety of pilgrims and tourists at the mega religious fair will be ensured through various safety measures, including the deployment of 25 marine divers from the Indian Navy, Vizag, maintaining a 24x7 vigil.

In addition to that, teams of PAC, SDRF and NDRF also contribute to the safety efforts.

According to deputy superintendent of police (SP), Jal Police, Avneesh Yadav, a 12-kilometer stretch, including 50 bathing ghats has been secured with a water barricading system made up of rows of floating blocks and nets to manage any untoward incident during the mela.

"The safety resources for pilgrims include 750 to 800 well-trained personnel from 10 PAC companies, 150 members of SDRF, 12 NDRF teams, and a core team of 35 well-trained Jal police divers, who will coordinate management and rescue operations. Apart from this, one floating traffic control station and 17 sub-stations will be positioned at key points across the 12-kilometer area. The traffic islands will be placed at 10 to 20 meters apart, depending on traffic density," he said.