‘Maha Kumbh showed state's capacity to manage mega events'

Time of India

3 days ago

Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh director general of police
Prashant Kumar
said that the successful conduct of Maha Kumbh-2025 was "a testament to faith, force, and foresight" — proving that the state can manage events of "civilizational proportions" through strong leadership, meticulous planning, and advanced technology.
Speaking at TOI Dialogues, Kumar said: "At Maha Kumbh, infrastructure met intent, technology met tradition, and governance met faith. Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath
's personal oversight, resource support, and emphasis on law and order helped in the smooth execution of the 55-day congregation."
Over 25,000 police personnel were deployed under a unified command system. "Every ghat was risk-assessed, every route studied, and every possible scenario — from stampedes to cyber threats — simulated and planned for," he said.
Technology formed the "new trishul" of policing, with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) deploying AI-based facial recognition, drone surveillance, heat maps, real-time dashboards, GPS-enabled patrols, and body-worn cameras.
Social media served as a real-time communication and grievance redressal platform, while cyber teams countered disinformation and digital fraud.
Kumar highlighted the role of women police, anti-Romeo squads, traffic units, and intelligence officers, alongside humanitarian measures like 'Khoya-Paya' booths for lost children, medical aid stations, and disaster preparedness drills.
Calling the event a "civilizational achievement," Kumar said it showcased New Uttar Pradesh's ability to merge security with compassion.
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