German technology to help secure pilgrims at India's largest religious gathering
From Made-in-Germany all-terrain vehicles to water dispensing ATMs, Indian authorities in the province of Uttar Pradesh are leaving nothing to chance to make a grand religious congregation of dozens of millions of Hindus in the city of Prayagraj an exercise in efficiency, heightened safety and security.
The Maha Kumbh attracted more than 200 million pilgrims at its last major edition in Prayagraj on the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, largely derives its popularity from Sangam as the confluence of the rivers is popularly referred to in Hindu texts. One of the largest religious gatherings in the world, the festival is likely to draw about 400 million pilgrims from January 13 to February 26 across six special holy dip (shahi snan) dates.
Keeping in mind the religious nature of the event and its gargantuan proportions, the government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that security forces are not caught unawares by unforeseen incidents and safety gaps are properly plugged. Organisers have imported four all-terrain firefighting vehicles equipped with futuristic technology from Germany at a cost of 25 million Indian rupees. The ATVs--designed to drive fast over sand, swamp and uneven terrain -- are equipped with specialized firefighting resources like foam carriers, air pump and advanced fire extinguishers. They will be driven by especially-trained firefighting personnel.
Stepped up security
The government's seven-grid security plan from AI-enabled cameras to drone surveillance and app monitoring will be in place to thwart terror attacks and cybercrime. However, in view of the current New Year' s attacks in the United States, authorities have further tightened security and unprecedented measures are in place to make sure that life and property are completely shielded. Indian media reported that cops are on the trail of a man called Nasar Pathan who uploaded a social media post Tuesday threatening to trigger a blast with the aim of killing 1000 Hindu devotees at the Maha Kumbh.
