UP’s Urban Local Bodies Playing A Second Host To Pilgrims Of Prayagraj Mahakumbh

Lucknow, February 12 (TNA) The Urban Development Department led by Minister AK Sharma not only had plans for Prayagraj, the host city of Mahakumbh, but also activated and energised the nearby urban local bodies to come up to the expectations, which the biggest gathering on planet Earth may require.

In particular, given the Mahakumbh, the minister had instructed all the ULBs of nearby districts to see that very high standards of cleanliness are maintained and the roads are kept in proper condition. There should be welcoming boards and signages for the pilgrims going to or coming from the Mahakumbh. The minister, an official informed, there should be facilities for their night shelter, drinking water and toilet.

This was not only directed by the Urban Development Minister, but it was monitored several times during the last month. The result is that many such facilities have come up along the roads leading towards Prayaag. Pilgrims can be seen enjoying the benefits of these facilities and places for their rest and refreshment while they are taking the journey towards Prayagraj.

In the last few days, these facilities became even more important as there were too many vehicles on the roads leading to Prayaag. Sometimes there was resultant road congestion and traffic was moving very slow. Due to this, the requirement of civic facilities along the road became very important. Timely and advance preparedness came in handy.

Mr. Sharma has been reviewing these arrangements regularly. He again reviewed the situation online yesterday evening and instructed that the best possible has to be done in the service of the pilgrims. The was out on the roads and in the ULBs for this purpose. He inspected such facilities himself in Varanasi as well as at Mirzapur. This also again sent a message to all the urban local bodies to tighten their belts.

Many executive officers of the smaller ULBs as well as the municipal commissioners of bigger municipal corporations, could be seen organising things themselves for service of the Mahakumbh pilgrims.