Magh Mela: Officials race against time to finish work

ALLAHABAD: Heavy rains, around 33mm, on Thursday kept Magh Mela authorities on their toes through out the day as preparations continued at hectic pace. With Mela set to start with first major bath on January 5, officials are eager to complete the work by Friday.
District Magistrate Bhavnath Singh told TOI, “We are maintaining a close watch on the situation.The rains have failed to impact preparations.” He, however, said, “If rains continue for one or two days, we will make additional arrangements”.
The DM claimed that sand absorbed rain water and prevented the situation from turning chaotic. Sincere efforts were underway to complete all preparations before the Magh Mela, he added.
A team of mela officials on Thursday took stock of situations in all the four sectors and ruled out any damage. “We are more cautious towards natural reasons. If rain continues for two or more days then the situation will turn grim,” said an official adding “We have been taking all precautions and measures so that devotees do not face any trouble.”
Around 25 lakh devotees are expected to take a holy dip on the first major snan of Magh Mela on Paush Purnima.
Another mela official said, “In view of changing weather conditions, especially rain, we have put precautionary measures in place. Stress is on being ready to tackle such situation.” Efforts are also underway to offer all facilities to devotees who would start arriving in Sangam City a day before the Paush Purnima.
Officials of all departments, including health, PWD, police, Jal Nigam etc, also held a meeting to discuss preparations and assured of better civic amenities to pilgrims this time.”
A PWD official said, “Sand is able to absorb water and thus prevented water logging.”
Various activities would be held for 44 days during the Magh Mela commencing from January 5. The police authorities too have reviewed security arrangements and claimed that adequate measures have been put in place to turn Magh Mela campus into a fortress. Besides, teams of STF, ATS, bomb defusal squad and anti-sabotage squad have been deployed round-the-clock to ensure safety and security of each and every devotee.
For smooth flow of crowd, the mela administration has decided to put up “caution boards” Besides, barricading and separate entry and exit points (for main bathing days or in view of heavy influx of visitors) have been set up with over 400 traffic police personnel deployed for the job. There have been separate arrangements for parking in Sangam area.