The Government of Uttar Pradesh is set to establish healthcare facilities comprising a 100-bed hospital, two 20-bed hospitals, and additional smaller 8-bed hospitals for the Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025. This initiative is part of an extensive healthcare program catering to both pilgrims and visitors.
This grand spiritual gathering, expected to draw 450 million attendees, is scheduled from January 13 to February 26, 2025, at the revered meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj.
Listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Mahakumbh returns to Prayag after a 12-year intermission.
According to Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Brajesh Pathak, meticulous efforts are underway focusing on health and sanitation for the Mahakumbh Mela preparations. This includes comprehensive healthcare services aimed at pilgrims, holy men, scholars observing Kalpwas, and tourists. Specialist doctors in large numbers are being appointed.
An additional setup involves two 10-bed ICUs established by the Army Hospital within the Mela vicinity, with medical professionals available round-the-clock. In total, 291 MBBS doctors and specialists, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners, and 182 nursing personnel will be present. Separate wards for men, women, and children will also be organized in these hospitals. Maternity and emergency units, along with doctors’ chambers, will be accessible.
In line with this vision and effort, the Deputy CM hosted an elaborate roadshow in Mumbai. He emphasized the Mahakumbh’s role as a distinctive celebration of India’s diversity, extending an invitation to Maharashtra’s Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan, CM Devendra Fadnavis, and the citizens of Maharashtra to join the Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025.
The UP government, Deputy CM added, is poised to deliver a sacred, magnificent, and digitally advanced Maha Kumbh. Arrangements include launching a dedicated website and app, an AI-driven chatbot in 11 languages, QR-based entry passes, a multilingual digital lost-and-found center, ICT-enabled monitoring for cleanliness and lodgings, dedicated software for managing land and resources, digital bi-lingual signage (VMD), an automatic distribution system for rations, drone-based supervision and crisis management, live software for monitoring 530 projects, as well as a system for inventory tracking, along with Google Maps integration for all sites.
Approximately 450 million visitors are anticipated for Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, marking a historic event. To monitor attendance, three technical solutions will be implemented.
The first solution uses attribute-based surveillance, employing tailored search cameras to track individuals. The second involves RFID wristbands, handed out to pilgrims, with readers recording their times of entry and exit. Finally, location tracking via a mobile application with the pilgrims’ consent will be facilitated by GPS, using the mobile app for navigation.