Magh Mela is not just an event of faith, but a living example of India’s eternal tradition, social discipline and administrative efficiency: Chief Minister
The government’s top priority is to provide a safe, clean and well-organized environment to the devotees coming from India and abroad.
Instructions to complete all preparations related to organizing Magh Mela by December 31, 2025
All departments should complete the work in a timely manner with mutual coordination.
Magh Mela-2026 should be such an event in which faith, safety, cleanliness, innovation and sensitive administration are all reflected in a balanced and effective form.
Necessary information should be issued in this regard that no VIP protocol should be given on major bathing festivals.
Principal Secretaries/Secretary level officers of all departments related to Magh Mela and Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order should personally visit the fair area and review the preparations.
Maximum use of modern technology should be made in security and crowd management, concrete and multi-level action plan should be made for traffic and crowd management.
Arrangements for zero liquid discharge should be ensured in the fair area, so that the sanctity of Ganga-Yamuna remains intact.
Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji, in a high-level meeting convened at his official residence here today, made a detailed review of the preparations for Magh Mela-2026 to be held in Prayagraj on the banks of the holy confluence of Mother Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati. The Chief Minister said that Magh Mela is not just an event of faith, but is a living example of India’s eternal tradition, social discipline and administrative efficiency. Providing a safe, clean and well-organized environment to the devotees coming from India and abroad is the top priority of the government.
The Chief Minister said that the tradition of Kalpavas, bathing and meditation at the Sangam is the soul of Indian cultural consciousness. This year 15 to 25 lakh devotees will be Kalpavasi only. After the well-organized organization of Maha Kumbh, there is special enthusiasm in the country and the world about Magh Mela-2026. This fair gives the message of restraint, harmony and service to the society. He said that all departments should complete the work in a time bound manner with mutual coordination. Magh Mela-2026 should be such an event in which faith, safety, cleanliness, innovation and sensitive administration are all reflected in a balanced and effective form.
The Chief Minister instructed the officials that spiritual dignity should be maintained in the arrangements, but there should not be any chaos or inconvenience at any level. He instructed the Home Department that no VIP protocol should be given on major bathing festivals and necessary information should be issued in this regard. Principal Secretaries/Secretary level officers of all departments related to Magh Mela and Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order should personally visit the fair area and review the preparations. He instructed to complete all preparations related to organizing Magh Mela by December 31, 2025.
In the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Prayagraj told that Magh Mela-2026 will be organized for a total of 44 days from January 03 to February 15, 2026. During this period, major bathing festivals like Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Mahashivratri will take place. It is estimated that 12 to 15 crore devotees will come during the entire fair period, whereas on major festivals like Mauni Amavasya, arrangements are being made accordingly in view of the possibility of more than 3.5 crore devotees taking a bath in the Sangam in a single day.
It was also informed in the meeting that the expansion of the fair area has been increased to about 800 hectares. The number of sectors has been increased from 05 to 07. The total length of bathing ghats has been increased by about 50 percent as compared to the previous Magh Mela. For the convenience of the devotees, work on a detailed action plan for 42 parking lots, 09 pontoon bridges, better internal road system and easy transportation is in the final stage.
Regarding security and crowd management, the Chief Minister said that maximum use of modern technology should be made. He gave instructions to make a concrete and multi-level action plan for traffic and crowd management. Strict action should be ensured against those spreading rumours.
Police Commissioner, Prayagraj Commissionerate informed that adequate police force is being deployed for the fair period. About 450 CCTV cameras are being installed, out of which 250 cameras have been installed. SDRF and NDRF teams will also be deployed. AI based surveillance and crowd management system is being implemented in the fair area.
The Chief Minister directed to ensure necessary training for better behavior and devotee-sensitive approach of police personnel. He said that the cooperation of NSS volunteers and NCC cadets should also be included in the arrangements. He also gave instructions to maintain communication and coordination with the sailors and to control the charges for food and various services for the devotees.
Laying special emphasis on innovations, the Chief Minister said that Magh Mela-2026 should become a new standard at the level of facilities and technology. It was informed in the meeting that for the convenience of the devotees, arrangements like app based bike-taxi service, wide expansion of directional signs, QR code based identification system on electric poles, ring main unit for uninterrupted power supply, geo-tube technology to prevent erosion and pre-built sewage treatment plant are being implemented. The Chief Minister said that all these innovations should be effectively visible at the ground level.
The Chief Minister said that single use plastic should be banned so that Magh Mela becomes an example of cleanliness. It was informed in the meeting that a total of 16,650 toilets are being established in the fair area, which includes separate and adequate facilities for women. About 3,300 Safai Mitras will be deployed 24 hours. Arrangements like sanitation colony, Anganwadi for children and primary school have been ensured for them. The Chief Minister directed that the honorarium of sanitation workers working in the fair should be paid within 15 days in every case. The Chief Minister directed the Urban Development Department to ensure zero liquid discharge in the fair area, so that the sanctity of Ganga-Yamuna remains intact.
Regarding health services, the Chief Minister was informed that 02 hospitals of 20 beds each, 12 first aid centres, 50 ambulances and Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical units are being established in the fair area, so that quick medical aid can be available in any emergency. Regarding river and flood management, it was told that work of river training, temporary embankment, jetty construction, cleaning of drains and continuous monitoring of water level is being done. Nearly 85 percent of the jetty construction work has been completed. The Chief Minister gave instructions to ensure regular patrolling in the river area. He said that before the fair, effective mock drills should be conducted and adequate availability of modern equipment should be ensured with the fire brigades.
This year, through the Department of Tourism and Culture, programs and exhibitions based on folk dance, folk drama, bhajan-kirtan, Ramlila and the rich art and culture of the state will be organized during Magh Mela. Along with this, an exhibition of public records related to the administrative arrangements of Magh Mela events of the 19th and early 20th century and rare manuscripts related to Sanatan tradition and spirituality will also be organized.
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