India Insights: Kumbh Mela Stampedes - Lessons Never Learned?
pti
The world’s largest human gathering, the Kumbh Mela is ongoing in India. It is a Hindu religious pilgrimage and festival where devotees come together to bathe in the holy Ganga River. While it is said that this gathering can be seen from space, one can only imagine how many people have gathered throughout history by the banks of the holy river to cleanse themselves of their sins.
However, the current discourse surrounding this ongoing pilgrimage is grim. In a recent stampede that occurred on 29th January, at least 30 people are feared dead and almost 60 were injured. Since this tragedy, the government of the north Indian state, Uttar Pradesh, where the stampede happened, has come under fire for poor infrastructure and crowd management strategies.
This raises a serious question: Are Indian authorities not taking enough measures to ensure that the Kumbh Mela is a safe place for all pilgrims?
The Magnitude Of Kumbh Mela And Its Risks
The magnitude of the Kumbh Mela is almost unimaginable; there is nothing like it.
The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in rotation among four Indian cities—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. A smaller version, Ardh Kumbh, occurs every six years. The festival attracts millions of Hindu devotees who gather to bathe in the holy river, believing it washes away sins and leads to liberation.
While this year’s stampede at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh has garnered global attention, it is not a standalone example of a crowd control crisis.
Kumbh Mela Stampedes and Casualties over the years
Hence, these risks aren’t new. They have been occurring over the years, but overcrowding, poor crowd management, and poor infrastructure stand in the way of making the gathering risk-free.
Current Crowd Control Efforts And Their Shortcomings
The six-week-long festival was estimated to see almost 400-450 million devotees gather at Prayagraj. For this, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed over 2,700 cameras. These cameras are said to be equipped with AI capabilities, used to monitor crowd density and movement patterns in real time. In addition to this, drones have been deployed for monitoring and around 40,000 are on-site to maintain order.
However, none of these measures could stop the stampede from happening. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is a Hindu monk and has overseen some of the efforts himself. Many opposition party leaders of the ruling BJP party have accused Yogi Adityanath’s government of mismanagement.
One such opposition leader, Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Chief Minister of hiding the true figures of death during the stampede. He said, “Footwear and clothing were scattered at the scene and JCB machines and tractor trolleys were used to remove the dead.”
The Need For Policy Reforms And Stricter Enforcement
While reforms and policies can be introduced, the unpredictable nature of crowd behavior can be difficult to manage. While it is true that the Indian authorities have taken steps to enhance the safety of the gathering, there are still concerns around contaminated water.
Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the water quality at several spots in Prayagraj has high levels of faecal coliform in the water, leading to bad water quality. The government and authorities have implemented measures to reduce the further pollution of water, however, as pilgrims continue to bathe in the river, their health stands at risk.
Despite its deep religious and traditional roots, Kumbh Mela can
seamlessly incorporate modern crowd management techniques without
compromising the spiritual experience. By further advancing its AI-driven
surveillance, staggered entry systems, and real-time crowd monitoring,
authorities can minimize the risk of deadly stampedes while ensuring a
safe and smooth pilgrimage for millions.
The Economic and Political Stakes of Kumbh Mela
The festival carries enormous financial implications for India’s economy, as well as playing a crucial role in the political landscape of the country, with political parties vying for visibility and influence during the event.
The scale of the event makes it a major economic engine, with millions of pilgrims flooding the host cities, spending on transportation, accommodation, food, and religious merchandise. The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, for instance, is expected to attract up to 450 million devotees over the course of several weeks.
In addition to the direct impact on businesses, the government invests heavily in infrastructure development for the event. For the 2025 Kumbh Mela, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated almost 850 million dollars for infrastructure improvements, including the construction of roads, bridges, sanitation facilities, and temporary housing for the millions of pilgrims. These investments not only cater to the festival's immediate needs but also leave a legacy of improved infrastructure for residents.
Moreover, the Kumbh Mela boosts religious commerce. Vendors selling religious items, food stalls, and purveyors of spiritual paraphernalia benefit immensely from the influx of pilgrims. This business sector is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in sustaining small businesses and artisans during the festival.
The combination of religious tourism and public safety can coexist with thoughtful planning, technology integration, and a commitment to improving risk management practices. By incorporating best practices from other major events worldwide and investing in modern safety measures, the Kumbh Mela can remain a symbol of faith and unity while ensuring the well-being of its participants.
