PRAYAGRAJ: To prevent boat collisions and ensure smooth transportation during the Mahakumbh, mela police authorities have established a 12-kilometre-long river line with separate entry and exit routes as part of their river traffic management scheme. This system will manage the 4,000 boats used to ferry pilgrims and devotees between different ghats to the Sangam.
The river line, which stretches across the Yamuna, is being set up using deep-water barricading boxes, with platforms placed every 8-10 meters to serve as operational intersections for Jal Police personnel. All boats will follow a designated single-route system.
SSP (Mahakumbh), Rajesh Dwivedi, explained, “A four-kilometre-long river line is being set up in the river Yamuna.” He added, “The river line is being set up using deep-water barricading boxes, with platforms installed every 8-10 meters to serve as operational intersections for the Jal Police personnel. All boats will operate on a designated single-route system.”
To ensure the safety of pilgrims, Dwivedi emphasized the comprehensive security blueprint prepared by the mela police. In addition to deploying Jal Police and PAC (flood control) personnel, 25 trained sea divers from the Indian Navy have been enlisted to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. The SDRF and NDRF teams will provide further support for security and rescue operations.
DSP (Jal Police) Rajneesh Yadav mentioned, “A 12-kilometre stretch, encompassing 50 bathing ghats, has been secured with a water barricading system featuring floating blocks with nets to handle emergencies.”
Yadav also highlighted the deployment of 10 PAC companies, 800 trained personnel, 150 SDRF members, 12 NDRF teams, and a core team of 35 trained Jal Police divers. These divers will carry oxygen cylinders for rescue operations, with oxygen compressor machines placed at strategic points to refill portable cylinders on-site.
A
floating traffic control station
is being established, along with 17 sub-stations within the 12-kilometre area. Additionally, 12 jetties are under construction to strengthen the security infrastructure. The Army is also expected to set up a jetty between Saraswati Ghat and Quila Ghat as part of the security measures. A floating station for real-time monitoring will operate under the Dial 112 services.
The mela police administration, in coordination with the Irrigation Department and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), will oversee safety in the secured water area.
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