Coronavirus: Kumbh Mela is spread over 670 hectares covering Haridwar, Tehri, Dehradun and Rishikesh
Highlights
The Kumbh Mela area is spread over 670 hectares
Despite their best efforts, the police could not impose SOPs
Haridwar:
A total of 1,701 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world s largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases.
The numbers include both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test reports of devotees and seers of different akharas (ascetic groups) over the five-day period in the entire Mela Kshetra extending from Haridwar to Devprayag, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Shambhu Kumar Jha said today.
Apr 14, 2021, 17:19 IST
It was reported that hundreds of people tested positive for COVID19 in the last 24 hours. This was the case after many devotees went to the River Ganges for the religious festival, Kumbh Mela. Along with the devotees, others in the city are also said to be affected.
In the past 48 hours, over 1000 people in Haridwar were detected with the virus. On Monday, around 400 people tested positive while on Tuesday, it was 600. This number in Haridwar is increasing every day.
The issue here is that there are still many public events being held, said an expert. Not just such religious events but even the political leaders are not backing away. There were many rallies held in the past month leading to the elections. Thousands of people attend such events, unprotected.
Kumbh Mela: The next significant Kumbh day is set for April 27. (File)
New Delhi:
The mega Kumbh Mela at Haridwar will continue till April 30 and there has been no discussion to close it early on account of surging Covid infections, officials said today as they denied any move to wrap up the event two weeks early. The Kumbh Mela used to begin in January, but looking at the Covid situation, the state government decided to start it in April this time. The centre s SOP said because of the situation, the duration would be reduced. I have no information of it being curtailed, said Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate, Haridwar, and Kumbh Mela officer.
Kumbh Mela 2021: Mahakumbh In Haridwar With Covid-19 Guidelines Kumbh Mela 2021: Mahakumbh In Haridwar With Covid-19 Guidelines Kumbh Mela 2021: The Kumbh Mela began in Haridwar on Thursday. Several Covid-linked restrictions are in place
Kumbh Mela 2021: Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga at Haridwar early morning
Haridwar:
The Kumbh Mela formally began in Haridwar on Thursday with several restrictions amid rising cases of Covid-19 infections in various states including Uttarakhand. Officials associated with organising the Kumbh Mela, including Mela Officer Deepak Rawat, Mela IG Sanjay Gunjyal and Haridwar SSP Janmejay Khanduri, visited the temples along the banks of the Ganga to pray for a safe and unhindered Kumbh fair.
Kumbh Mela 2021: Walls in Haridwar painted for the Kumbh Mela
Dehradun (Uttarakhand):
The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit the Kumbh Mela this year for 30 days due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Chief Secretary, Om Prakash said on Thursday that the government will issue the notice by the end of March.
This time Kumbh will be held from April 1 to April 30. The decision has been taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection, Mr Prakash said.
The state government has also said duration of the Kumbh has been reduced as officials fear it may become a hot spot of the virus. Earlier, the Haridwar District Magistrate, C Ravishankar had said that pilgrims will need passes to attend the Kumbh.