Haridwar braces up for Mahakumbh Shahi Snan amid surge in Covid cases

RT-PCR NEGATIVE REPORT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL PEOPLE COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND ENTERING THE KUMBH MELA ZONE

HARIDWAR: Amid the surge in Covid cases, Mahakumbh administration is bracing up for the Shah Snan on April 12 on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya in Haridwar when pilgrim influx is expected to increase.

On Wednesday, the state reported the highest daily cases this year, with 1109 fresh cases, out of which 509 were from Dehradun and 308 from Haridwar. Haridwar which is hosting the Mahakumbh has the second highest active cases (1286) at present among all the 13 districts.

A meeting was held by Kumbh Mela officer-in-charge Deepak Rawat at Mela Control Room on Wednesday in which he directed government department officials concerned to ensure best of facilities before the Shahi Snaan of Somvati Amavasya.

The Mela officer directed officials to carry out work on war foot level as just four days are left for the Somwati Amavasya Shahi Snan and another Shahi Snan on Baisakhi on April 14.

“As far as facilities are concerned for the pilgrims they are at par with any other fair. Owing to Covid-19 pandemic, strict implementation of Covid-19 norms is being ensured for the Kumbh. RT-PCR negative report is mandatory for all people coming from outside and entering the Kumbh Mela zone and strict checking is being done at border check post,” said Kumbh Mela officer Deepak Rawat. The Kumbh Mela Force also is ensuring 24 hours checking at the border check posts of Haridwar with Uttar Pradesh. According to Kumbh Mela Traffic Circle Officer Prakash Singh Devli apart from state police, deployment of central paramilitary forces personnel has been done at the border check posts.

“On Wednesday, by evening 564 vehicles were returned from Haridwar border which didn’t comply with Covid-19 related SoP. In these, there were 3264 people who wanted to enter Haridwar but didn’t carry the negative RT-PCR test report.

While 2273 vehicles were allowed to enter the border who had RT-PCR negative report or vaccination certificate,” said Mahakumbh Mela circle officer Prakash Singh Devli.

Meanwhile, district magistrate C Ravi Shankar on Wednesday announced closure of all schools and educational institutions from April 9-15 in view of the two back-to-back Mahakumbh Shahi Snan in Haridwar.

Prohibition on heavy commercial vehicles and flammable substance carrier vehicles’ entry has also been banned in Haridwar for the same period by district administration in view of safety of pilgrims.

Mahakumbh 2021 started from April 1 with Kumbh notification of the government coming into effect. Owing to stringent compliance of Covid-19 guidelines and standard operating procedures of Centre and state, pilgrim rush was not witnessed at Har-Ki-Pauri Ganga ghat in Haridwar when the Kumbh started. However, the Haridwar authorities are expecting that the pilgrim rush will increase on Shah Snan days, but not to the extent they had expected earlier when there was ambiguity on mandatory negative Covid test for attending the Mahakumbh grand fair.