New Delhi: The government plans to make Allahabad Kumbh Mela a big event not only by attracting international but also to take its benefit at the domestic front with the Lok Sabha elections coming closure. The 49-day-long mega event is organised in the city at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Mythical Saraswati.
Union ministry of state (Independent Charge) for tourism K J Alphons has taken several measures to attract foreign tourists. These included: Launch of 'Chalo Kumbh Chalo' campaign across the country and branding and marketing campaigns for Kumbh Mela, 2019.
The government also plans advertisements at major international airports of the country to attract foreign tourists, development of a designated area for flag hoisting for 192 countries visiting Kumbh Mela, organising the 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas', 2019 in Varanasi to attract 'Pravasi Bharatiya Delegates' to visit Kumbh, 2019.
Besides promoting the Kumbh Mela, the government has taken some measures for its smooth management like drawing out of a detailed movement and parking plan for convenient approach to and from parking areas, identification and development of holding areas for crowd control during the mela period, deployment of digital signages in the mela area to guide visitors towards places of interest and dissemination of crucial information by Government and law enforcement agencies, deployment of dustbins for solid waste management, engagement of Ganga Praharis and Swacchagrahis for helping gather community participation and awareness towards conservation of River Ganga. In an answer to a question in the Lok Sabha,
Alphons replied in the Lok Sabha that as reported by the government of Uttar Pradesh, these arrangements have been made for pilgrims who are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela. Construction and widening of public roads, construction of parking spots at short distances from mela area, provision of shuttle buses for the convenience of pilgrims, digital signages at systematic points to ensure smooth flow of traffic, construction of toilets to maintain cleanliness and hygiene and setting up of LED lights in the mela area,