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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Tourism makeover for Prayagraj, poised to emerge as ‘City of Temple Corridors'
In a major push to boost religious tourism, authorities are planning to promote Prayagraj as the 'City of Temple Corridors.' The initiative aims to enhance the city's spiritual appeal in the aftermath of Mahakumbh-2025 and set the stage for Ardh Kumbh 2031, informed officials on Tuesday. Bade Hanuman temple corridor in Prayagraj (HT PHOTO) Prayagraj's regional tourism officer Aparajita Singh said the initiative will focus on promotion and developing newly constructed temple corridors while integrating key religious sites across the city. These measures are designed to enhance the pilgrim experience and draw visitors from across India and abroad, she added. As a part of the initiative, the state has introduced a Tourism Tracker—a digital tool designed to monitor tourism trends, analyse visitor data, and evaluate the performance of major religious and tourist destinations in the region. It will provide monthly insights on domestic and international footfall, accommodation occupancy, transport logistics, and event execution,' officials explained, adding, 'It will also help identify areas that need attention or investment, ensuring a more seamless experience for pilgrims and visitors alike.' Corridors and cultural revival A key focus of the initiative is to promote temple corridors developed ahead of the Mahakumbh-2025, which involves revamping and connecting prominent yet long-neglected temples, including the Dwadash Madhav cluster, with an investment of over ₹129 crore. Corridors like the Bade Hanuman Temple near Sangam, Akshayvat and Saraswati Well, and Bhardwaj Ashram developed at the time would also be publicised. Officials are also planning to organise Ganga Aarti and cultural evenings at these sites, along with installing multilingual signage and safeguarding the corridors from unauthorised vendor encroachments. Tenders for signage will be issued by the municipal corporation, said officials. Preparing for Ardh Kumbh-2031 In anticipation of Ardh Kumbh 2031, early groundwork is already underway. Officials shared that project proposals for infrastructure, hospitality, and event management are being prepared in coordination with the tourism department, Prayagraj Development Authority, municipal corporation, and the Prayagraj Mela Authority. The administration is also planning to establish a land bank to facilitate the construction of essential facilities—such as parking lots, public restrooms, rest houses, and cafeterias—outside city limits. These projects will be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model after land acquisition. Tourism conclaves and industry engagement Despite successfully hosting past Kumbh events, Prayagraj has yet to see a proportional rise in year-round tourism. To bridge this gap, the city is preparing to host a mega tourism conclave aimed at engaging national tour operators, travel agencies, and hotel industry stakeholders. Officials stated that this conclave will boost not just religious tourism but also open up employment and business opportunities. Three similar events have already been held in the past with encouraging outcomes. Expanding accommodation and streamlining processes To accommodate the expected tourist influx, efforts are being made to upgrade local infrastructure, particularly the hospitality sector. The administration is working to simplify the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process for new hotels and expand the network of homestays across the city. For the first time, the government is also considering the registration of dharamshalas (pilgrims' rest houses) with the tourism department to integrate them into the broader accommodation ecosystem.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State govt establishes Kumbh Mela authority
Nashik: State govt has established the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority, modelled on the Prayagraj Mela Authority, with the Nashik divisional commissioner as chairperson. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This authority will operate under the direction of a committee of ministers. On June 4, governor CP Radhakrishnan signed an ordinance establishing the 'Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Authority'. "State govt decided to form the authority for Kumbh Mela. This will expedite developmental works related to the conduct of the religious fair," stated Praveen Gedam, Nashik's divisional commissioner Political analysts suggest this structure, with the authority reporting to the Ccmmittee of ministers, addresses the ongoing dispute over Nashik's guardian minister position and subsequent control of the Kumbh Mela committee. "The committee's oversight will ensure local political representation in the authority's functioning," the analyst suggested. According to the ordinance, the committee will oversee the authority's operations, evaluate its performance, and examine its reports, establishing political supervision over the Kumbh Mela proceedings. District administration officials confirmed that the authority included the Nashik collector and inspector general of police as vice-chairpersons, alongside Ahilyanagar collector, NMC chief and other officials as members. "The authority grants the Kumbh Mela commissioner direct control over designated staff, with the chairperson maintaining oversight," said the officer.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
PMA to introduce golf carts, HOHO bus service for comfortable, inclusive tourism
Prayagraj: With the rise in footfall to the Sangam City post Maha Kumbh , the Prayagraj Mela Authority ( PMA ) is going to launch a specialised golf cart service and 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service to enhance the comfort and convenience of pilgrims and tourists visiting this sacred offer an efficient and eco-friendly travel option, the golf cart service will be launched to assist elderly visitors and those with disabilities. PMA is also planning to commence a 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service, connecting Prayagraj Junction to significant tourist spots and religious destinations across the city at reasonable fares. The authorities have already floated Requests for Proposal (RFP) to implement the two new services. Proposals for both the initiatives are open until May to officials, PMA plans to introduce golf carts for transport across key sites like Sangam banks, Bade Hanumanji temple corridor and Akshayvat temple. At least 20 golf carts with a minimum seating capacity of eight, including the driver, will be deployed, excluding vehicles like e-rickshaws or autos. The selected agency will also be responsible for developing fast-charging the Maha Kumbh 2025, the number of devotees visiting Prayagraj has risen by 10–15%, with many facing challenges in accessing temples due to expensive transport or long walking distance. The planned services aim to resolve these issues and promote inclusive is also acquiring trash skimmers and specialised boats designed to clear aquatic weeds and floating waste from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers near Sangam. To enhance safety and convenience for bathers, floating jetties with changing facilities are being set up. These jetties will be repositioned during the Mela using a towing vessel, and will be moved to secure locations before the flood period begins.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sangam city enhances pilgrim comfort amid rising footfall
Sangam, the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati—which hosts the Kumbh Mela and is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year to its banks—is set to witness a major fillip to visitor-friendly services. A view of the Sangam area in Prayagraj (HT) The Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) has begun steps to introduce golf carts for the benefit of tourists and visitors, especially the aged and the differently abled, to visit various sites on the Sangam banks, including the banks of the sacred confluence, the Bade Hanuman temple corridor, the Akshayvat temple, etc. A 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service, too, is set to be started by PMA to take visitors from Prayagraj Junction to all key tourist and religious attractions of Prayagraj at affordable rates. Requests for Proposal (RFP) for both these new initiatives have already been floated, with proposals invited till May 15, shared Vijay Kiran Anand, Mela Adhikari, PMA. 'Both services are now necessary to promote tourism in Prayagraj city. Our effort is to provide comfort and ease to every visitor coming here,' he added. After the Mahakumbh-2025, the number of devotees visiting Prayagraj has increased by 10 to 15%, claim officials. A large number of these devotees are elderly and some are differently abled. After somehow reaching Sangam, they often face a lot of difficulty in going to the temples. Many times, the vehicles they take are expensive and they have to walk for several kilometres. The golf carts would resolve this issue, they maintained. Officials said that the PMA seeks to engage agencies to provide, operate, and maintain a minimum of 20 golf carts in the Sangam area. The selected vendor shall operate golf carts with a minimum seating capacity of 8 (including the golf cart driver). E-rickshaws, three-wheelers, auto rickshaws, etc., shall not be considered as golf carts. The selected vendor will need to develop charging infrastructure with fast-charging capabilities, they shared. Likewise, qualified service providers have been invited to submit proposals for engagement of an agency for providing the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus service for key tourist destinations within Prayagraj. This service aims to provide convenient, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation options for tourists visiting major attractions in the city, said officials. This service will cater to tourists visiting the major attractions within the city, ensuring ease of access and a seamless experience for both local and international tourists, with the help of a fleet of buses operating on designated routes connecting prominent tourist sites, said officials. Meanwhile, PMA has also begun the process for acquiring trash skimmers and waste removal boats embellished with aquatic weed removal features for collecting floating waste and weeds on the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna near Sangam, as well as a towing boat. PMA has procured floating jetties with changing rooms which are to be arranged at Sangam to provide people with platforms for having a safe and secure bathing experience. A towing boat serves as a practical solution to tow the jetty platforms to the desired location during the Mela and move the jetties back to a safe location before the start of the flood, said officials.
