Kumbh Mela to begin on Jan 14 amid tight security

Amid air surveillance and heightened security, Uttarakhand is all set for the Kumbh Mela, which will begin on January 14 in Haridwar.

There will be no compromise with the security of the people. As a part of the security measures, helicopters will be pressed into service during the three-month-long fair, termed as the largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world, chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank told reporters here.

Besides, security has been beefed up in and around the holy town of Haridwar, he said.

About 50 lakh people are expected on the first day itself of the grand congregation, celebrated once in every 12 years, the chief minister said, adding that arrangements have been made in such a way that 20-25 lakh devotees can take the holy dip simultaneously.

Meanwhile, deputy DGP Alok Sharma said adequate security arrangements have been put into place in coordination with the Centre to prevent any untoward incident during the fair.

Personnels of CRPF, RAF, CISF, SSB, ITBP have been deployed at the festival area that spread over an area of 130sq km, he said.