With less than two weeks until the Maha Kumbh festival, a robust electricity infrastructure valued at ₹400 crore has been established to ensure uninterrupted power supply for over 40 crore devotees.
The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has laid 182 km of high-tension lines and 1,405 km of low-tension lines to support this effort. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, plans to light up the festival grounds with over 40,000 rechargeable bulbs. Anoop Kumar Sinha, the Executive Engineer overseeing the Electricity Department, shared that these bulbs would be installed at strategic locations, including 4.5 lakh electrical connections set up for various camps.
The rechargeable bulbs, costing approximately ₹2.7 crore, are being funded through ongoing Electricity Department projects for the Maha Kumbh.
Scheduled to take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 to February 26, the 45-day Kumbh has prompted extensive preparations. Authorities have renovated 92 roads, constructed 30 bridges, and installed 800 multi-lingual signages. For the first time, underwater drones capable of diving 100 meters will provide constant surveillance at the Triveni Sangam (river confluence) area, alongside aerial monitoring by drones.
Security will be reinforced with 2,700 AI-enabled CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring and facial recognition technology at entry points to Mahakumbh Nagar.
Recognized as the largest spiritual gathering in the world, the Maha Kumbh Mela draws millions of pilgrims who take a holy dip believed to cleanse the soul. Held in rotation at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, the Kumbh Mela is a deeply revered event in Indian culture.
