Kumbh Mela 2021: People violating COVID-19 SOPs to be prosecuted, details inside

Legal action will be taken against attendants of the Kumbh Mela who violate COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Department informed on Sunday, adding that SOPs will remain in force throughout the duration of the event.

The Kumbh Mela will take place from April 1 to 30 in Haridwar this year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to State Chief Secretary Om Prakash, people violating COVID-19 SOPs at 2021 Kumbh Mela Haridwar, will be prosecuted.

All participants will have to register on the Kumbh Mela administration's official website and upload documents including a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report, taken up to 72 hours prior, after which, an e-pass will be generated.

"During the mela, pilgrims must maintain a distance of 6 feet and wear masks. Those coming from abroad will have to follow guidelines prescribed by the Union Health Ministry," a statement quoted the Chief Secretary.

Action will be taken against violators under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, it added.

The SOPs also make it compulsory for devotees to bring a medical fitness certificate and an e-pass or e-permit issued to them after registering on the Kumbh Mela web portal.

The devotees may carry their test reports, fitness certificate and e-passes on their mobile phones or in hard copies for verification as and when required, it said.

International travellers coming for Kumbh will also have to observe the SOP besides following the travel advisory available on the website of MoHFW for international arrivals.

Meanwhile, a centralised control room has been set up at Haridwar railway station ahead of Kumbh Mela 2021, the Kumbh Mela Administration said on Saturday.

"All the nearby railway stations have been connected through CCTV, with their feed being streamed at this control room. A telephone line has also been set up at the centre," it said.

The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit the Kumbh this year to 30 days due to pandemic. Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage, one of the largest mass gatherings at one place.

It is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years and spans four river-bank pilgrimage sites, namely Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

(With agency inputs)