Officers with Ardh Kumbh experience entrusted with Maha Kumbh crowd management post stampede

Senior IAS officers with experience from the 2019 Ardh Kumbh are deployed to oversee the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed two senior IAS officers, who were part of the team that successfully conducted the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, to oversee the smooth conduct of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the wake of the recent stampede that left at least 30 pilgrims dead.

“Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami have hands-on experience in administration in Prayagraj, including a deep insight into crowd management and inter-agency coordination during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh,” an official said.

They have joined Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand, forming a trio that was part of the mega fair six years ago, he said.

According to the official, the state government called Mr. Goswami and Mr. Goyal from Lucknow to Prayagraj to ensure the smooth organisation of the upcoming Basant Panchami (Amrit Snan), one of the key bathing days of the festival on February 3.

“The duo played a crucial role in the seamless execution of the last Kumbh and has assumed their responsibilities,” he added.

Deputy Inspector General of Uttar Pradesh Police (Retd) K.P. Singh, who led the police arrangements during the previous Kumbh, praised the deployment of experienced officers for the event.

"This will help ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Amrit Snan," he told PTI.