Mahakumbh Nagar (UP), Feb 18: Prayagraj’s District Magistrate (DM), Ravindra Mandar, firmly debunked the social media rumors about extending the Maha Kumbh Mela due to overwhelming crowds. He emphasized that the schedule for the festival is based on religious “muhurats” (auspicious timings) and is fixed.
The Maha Kumbh is set to conclude on February 26, as per the pre-established timetable, Mandar announced.
“Following the directions of (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the administration is committed to providing smooth travel and other arrangements for all visitors. There is no proposal from the government or district administration to extend the mela’s duration. Pilgrims should ignore such misinformation,” he stated.
The DM confirmed that all necessary measures are in place for the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh to ensure a seamless bathing experience at the Triveni Sangam.
Furthermore, the administration is prioritizing traffic management to balance the flow of devotees and daily life in Prayagraj, he added.
On the subject of railway station closures, the DM clarified that no stations have been closed without prior announcement.
“The temporary closure of the Prayag Sangam station at Daraganj during peak times is standard procedure due to its proximity to the mela site. This is initiated to avoid overcrowding. Nevertheless, all other railway stations are fully operational and passengers are traveling without issues,” he explained.
The DM also mentioned that no students have missed their board exams because of the mela.
“We previously advised students and parents to arrive at exam centers well ahead of time, and compliance has been observed. Moreover, the CBSE and ICSE boards have provided additional opportunities for those students who might skip their exams due to unavoidable circumstances,” he noted.
The administration has urged devotees and locals to rely solely on official sources for information. (Agencies)
