Where Is The Budget Of ₹7,500 Crore For Mahakumbh Going?

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The recent tragedies at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj have once again exposed the Indian government’s gross negligence and utter disregard for human life. On January 29, 2025, a catastrophic stampede claimed the lives of at least 30 innocent devotees and left 60 others injured. As if this colossal failure wasn’t enough, the very next day, a fire broke out in the Nageshwar Pandal of Sector-22 near Chatnag Ghat, reducing several tents to ashes. While no casualties were reported in the fire, the incident underscores the abysmal safety measures in place.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, touted as the world’s largest religious gathering, comes with a staggering budget of ₹7,500 crore. One would expect that with such a colossal allocation, the safety and well-being of the pilgrims would be paramount. Yet, the reality is a damning indictment of the authorities’ priorities. Where has this enormous budget been siphoned off, if not to ensure the basic safety of the attendees?

The Uttar Pradesh government boasts of deploying over 50,000 personnel, including paramilitary forces, and allocating ₹131.48 crore specifically for fire safety measures. They claim to have installed 2,700 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, facial recognition technology at entry points, and even underwater drones for surveillance. But what good are these high-tech gimmicks when they fail at the most fundamental level—protecting human lives?

The stampede occurred between 1-2 a.m. when a massive crowd broke through barricades, leading to chaos and death. This is not the first time such a tragedy has struck the Kumbh Mela. In 2013, a similar stampede resulted in the loss of 36 lives. What lessons has the government learned since then? Evidently, none. The same patterns of mismanagement, lack of crowd control, and inadequate emergency response have repeated themselves, proving that human lives are expendable in the eyes of our leaders.

The fire incident further highlights the gross incompetence. Despite the substantial funds allocated for fire safety, several tents were reduced to ashes before the fire brigade could control the blaze. It’s a miracle that no lives were lost, but this does not absolve the authorities of their culpability. The flames were visible from a distance, causing damage worth lakhs of rupees, and yet, the response was sluggish and ineffective.

The government’s response to these tragedies has been predictably hollow. Platitudes and empty assurances do nothing to bring back the lives lost or heal the injuries sustained. The Prime Minister and Chief Minister’s appeals for calm and adherence to instructions are a slap in the face to those who have suffered due to their negligence. It’s easy to shift the blame onto the devotees, but the responsibility squarely lies with those who organized this event and failed to implement adequate safety measures.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; it’s a significant economic opportunity. With an expected revenue of ₹2 lakh crore, it’s clear where the government’s interests lie. The focus is on the economic windfall, while the safety and well-being of the pilgrims are relegated to an afterthought. This callous prioritization of profit over people is not just shameful; it’s criminal.

In conclusion, the recent events at the Maha Kumbh Mela are a tragic reminder of the Indian government’s chronic incompetence and indifference. The loss of life and property could have been prevented with proper planning, adequate safety measures, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the devotees. Instead, we are left mourning the dead and counting the costs, while those responsible hide behind empty words and broken promises. It’s high time we hold our leaders accountable for their failures and demand that human lives be valued above all else.

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