Lucknow, December 26: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday conducted a detailed review of the preparations for the Magh Mela 2026, to be held in Prayagraj on the sacred confluence of Mother Ganga, Yamuna, and the physically invisible Saraswati.
During the review, the Chief Minister said that the Magh Mela is not just an event of faith, but a living example of India’s Sanatan tradition, social discipline, and administrative efficiency. He directed that it is the government’s top priority to provide a safe, clean, and well-organized environment to devotees coming from India and abroad.
Chief Minister said that the tradition of Kalpvas, bathing, and meditation at the Sangam is the soul of Indian cultural consciousness. This year, 15 to 25 lakh devotees will be Kalpvasis alone. Following the well-organized Maha Kumbh Mela, there is special enthusiasm in the country and the world for the Magh Mela 2026. This fair sends a message of restraint, harmony, and service to society.
He directed officials to maintain spiritual dignity in the arrangements, while avoiding any chaos or inconvenience.
He directed the Home Department to ensure that no VIP protocol is granted during major bathing festivals and that necessary information should be issued in this regard.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj informed that the Magh Mela 2026 will be held for a total of 44 days, from January 3 to February 15, 2026. During this period, major bathing festivals such as Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima, and Mahashivratri will fall. An estimated 120 to 150 million devotees are expected to arrive during the entire fair period, while on major festivals like Mauni Amavasya, arrangements are being made accordingly, anticipating the possibility of over 35 million devotees bathing in the confluence on a single day.
The meeting also informed that the fair area has been expanded to approximately 800 hectares. The number of sectors has been increased from 5 to 7. The total length of the bathing ghats has been increased by approximately 50 percent compared to the previous Magh Mela. For the convenience of pilgrims, work is in the final stages on a detailed action plan for 42 parking spaces, 9 pontoon bridges, improved internal road infrastructure, and smooth traffic movement.
Regarding security and crowd management, the Chief Minister urged maximum use of modern technology. He directed the development of a robust and multi-layered action plan for traffic and crowd management.
The Police Commissioner of Prayagraj Commissionerate informed that adequate police force is being deployed for the fair period. Approximately 450 CCTV cameras are being installed, of which 250 have already been installed. SDRF and NDRF teams will also be deployed. AI-based surveillance and crowd management systems are being implemented in the fair area.
The Chief Minister also directed that the honorarium of sanitation workers working at the fair be paid within 15 days in any case. The Chief Minister directed the Urban Development Department to ensure zero liquid discharge in the fair area, so that the purity of Ganga-Yamuna remains intact.
Regarding health services, it was informed that two 20-bed hospitals, 12 first aid centers, 50 ambulances, and Ayurvedic and homeopathic medical units are being established in the fair area, so that immediate medical assistance can be made available in any emergency.