Air terminal, jetties to help Kumbh visitors

THE YOGI ADITYANATH GOVERNMENT HAD SET ASIDE A BUDGET OF ₹4,000 CRORE FOR THE EVENT THAT IS

EXPECTED TO SEE LAKHS OF VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD

CHANDIGARH : From a new air terminal to five jetties – the Uttar Pradesh government is all set for the 55-day Maha Kumbh from Monday. The Yogi Adityanath government had set aside a budget of ₹4,000 crore for the event that is expected to see lakhs of visitors from across the country and abroad. It will end on Mahashivratri on March 4.

With double the space than last year and 1.23 lakh toilets, the authorities plan to keep the event 100% open-defecation-free. For easy transport, a new air terminal, with a capacity of 300, was recently inaugurated at Bamrauli, Allahabad. Five jetties have been set up to offer point-topoint transport. Provisions for shuttle buses, e-rickshaws and CNG vehicles, too, have been made. Digital signages have been put up in Indian and foreign languages. The authorities have set up an integrated command and control centre to ensure foolproof security. In September, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, the tourism minister of Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated Indraprastham, a luxurious tent city, developed in association with Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation, for visitors.

Tourists can choose between tents and villas in tent city with rents in range of ₹10,000-₹30,000. The tent city will have a separate help desk for foreign nationals, daily buffet meals, Wi-fi-enabled campsites, CCTV surveillance, round-the-clock housekeeping and medical services.