CM Yogi Brings PM Modi’s Vision Of Digital Maha Kumbh To Life With Record Infrastructure Development

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is turning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Digital Maha Kumbh’ into reality with the swift development of the state’s newly established 76th district, ‘Maha Kumbh Nagar.’ The district is being equipped with comprehensive civic amenities in record time, setting the stage for the grand 2025 Maha Kumbh fair.

This year’s Maha Kumbh will be the first to be fully organized digitally, marking a significant departure from traditional practices. The ‘Maha Kumbh Land and Facility Allocation’ portal is central to this transformation, offering a one-click solution for accessing land and services. The Prayagraj Mela Authority is ensuring complete transparency, with applicants able to submit online applications and track the status of their land allocation and associated services at any time.

Digitization Ensures Seamless Land Allotment And Transparency

In the 2019 Kumbh, the Prayagraj Mela Authority digitized details and allocations for over 5,500 institutions. This time, authorities are allocating land to over 10,000 institutions, including government bodies, emergency services, social organizations, and religious groups. This digital approach eliminates the need for long queues and enhances the ease of completing necessary work.

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According to Additional Mela Officer Vivek Chaturvedi, GIS-based maps have been used to design the layout of the 4,000-hectare Mela area, divided into 25 sectors. Drone surveys conducted before and after the monsoon season have produced high-resolution topographic maps with an accuracy of 0.5 cm, enabling precise land management. These maps will also be available to devotees via Google Maps, helping them navigate key public utilities and emergency services such as police stations, hospitals, food courts, and toilets.

Expanded Infrastructure For A Grand And Secure Maha Kumbh

Organizers are preparing for the 2025 Maha Kumbh to be a monumental event, with over 40 crore devotees expected to visit Prayagraj to take a holy dip in the river. They have significantly expanded the area for the fair compare to the 2013 Maha Kumbh. The number of sectors has increased from 18 to 25, and the number of ghats has risen from 7 to 10, reflecting the vast growth in both scale and complexity.

In keeping with the digital transformation, the Prayagraj Mela Authority has accepted applications from institutions that participated in the 2019 Kumbh. The application period ran from October 29 to November 12, 2024, with wide publicity across local and national media. The authority analyzed data from the 2019 event to allocate land and facilities based on established rules. After processing the applications, the authority create facility slips, which can be view online by vendors and institutions.

Real-Time Tracking And Transparency For Applicants

One of the standout features of this digital system is its transparency. Applicants can further track their land and facility allocations in real-time, ensuring they have full visibility of the process. If necessary, applicants can raise objections, further ensuring fairness and accountability. A network of ‘Kumbh Fellows’ deploye to support the Mela administration and expedite requests from devotees.

Digital System Streamlines Land And Facility Management

Key benefits of the digital system include the complete digitization of application data, live tracking of application statuses, and an automated data flow between vendors and government departments. This ensures the timely setup of facilities. The system also employs a third-party inspection model, where photographic evidence is provided for facility setups, adding an additional layer of accountability.

The Prayagraj Mela Authority has also developed customized MIS reports and comprehensive institutional analyses, enabling it to manage land and facility allocation efficiently. By reducing the need for physical appointments and long queues, the digital system ensures that institutions can complete their tasks in a timely and organized manner.