A discussion was also held regarding Ardha Kumbh that will be held in 2031 as bridges, roads, hospitals and other development works will be done
Our Bureau
Prayagraj (UP)
In just 11 days of the Mahakumbh, more than 97.3 million devotees, Kalpavasis and revered seers have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. With this unprecedented turnout of devotees, the total number of participants expected to touch the 100 million-mark by the end of the 11th day of the festival.
As per the data of the Uttar Pradesh government, on Thursday as of now over 1.6 million people took dip in the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati. The Uttar Pradesh government estimates that more than 450 million people will attend the Maha Kumbh this time, according to an official statement.
On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the holy dip in Triveni Sangam during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak and other cabinet ministers were with the CM. The UP CM was seen offering thanks to God as he and his ministers took part in this spiritual moment.
Notably, all 54 ministers of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet were invited to this meeting. Following the meeting, CM Yogi Adityanath, along with the entire cabinet, took the holy dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam.
Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world. The key ‘snan’ dates left are: January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
After the meeting, CM Yogi announced that three medical colleges would be established in Hathras, Kasganj and Baghpat. He further added that 62 Industrial Training Institute and 5 centers of Innovation, invention and training will be established across the state.
The decision to renew Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defense and employment policy was taken at the meeting. Additionally, to bolster investment in the state, the UP government will announce new incentives. “Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defense and employment policy has completed 5 years. It will be renewed. New incentives have been announced to attract more investment,” Yogi said.
CM Yogi announced the issuing of Municipal corporation bonds for Prayagraj Varanasi and Agra. “And bonds will be issued in these three important municipal corporations of Prayagraj, Varanasi and Agra. Till now we have issued bonds of Lucknow and Ghaziabad. Very good results have come out of this. This is an important medium for branding the municipal corporation and for its development and a new vision,” CM Yogi said.
CM Yogi announced establishing the Prayagraj-Chitrakoot development region on the lines of Lucknow.
Apart from that authorities are focusing on preparations for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya on January 29, anticipating large crowds of devotees.
After Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a cabinet meeting at the Mahakumbh and approved significant schemes for the state, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said that a discussion was also held regarding Ardha Kumbh that will be held in 2031. He added that the bridges, roads, hospitals and other development works will be done in Prayagraj.
“During the cabinet meeting, we had discussions regarding the Ardha Kumbh in 2031. Bridges, roads, hospitals and other development works will be done in Prayagraj…” said the Dy CM.
Deputy CM K P Maurya also spoke of the preparations for Ardh Kumbh, “A meeting of the cabinet was held here in Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Big decisions have been taken here. Preparations for 2031 Ardha Kumbh have also started here in Mahakumbh 2025. I cannot express the feeling after taking a holy dip here.”.
Uttar Pradesh police deployed over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces for the event’s security. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a “water ambulance” stationed at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees. The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26.
