PRAYAGRAJ: In a bid to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh in 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out an innovative online system for booking bonfire-wood. This move aims to help pilgrims stay warm during the event, particularly in the chilly winter nights.
The Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation has set up 16 dedicated firewood depots across the Maha Kumbh area. These depots, strategically located, can be easily found online using Google. By simply searching “firewood depot Prayagraj,” devotees, including those traveling from overseas, can use mobile navigation to locate the nearest depot effortlessly.
RK Chandna, DSM Prayagraj, shared that the firewood is priced at Rs.600 per quintal to ensure affordability. Around 27,000 quintals of wood will be supplied throughout the event, transported from various depots across the state to meet the high demand.
The major firewood depots will be concentrated in Sector 16, ensuring a steady supply for devotees. This initiative not only simplifies the process of obtaining firewood but also guarantees an organized and smooth experience during the grand event.
By integrating digital solutions into traditional practices, the Uttar Pradesh government is ensuring that Maha Kumbh 2025 becomes a more accessible and convenient experience for everyone involved.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Sunday, caused by an explosion of three cooking gas cylinders. Thankfully, no one was injured. The Director General of Fire Services, Avinash Chandra, has assured the public that they will get to the bottom of what happened through a thorough investigation.
When it comes to fire safety, the Mahakumbh has got it covered. The area has 53 fire stations, over 1300 firefighters, and more than 300 fire vehicles. To put that into perspective, the entire Prayagraj district only has nine fire stations and 175 firefighters. The Director General emphasized that the response time for fire emergencies is just three minutes, with vehicles reaching the spot in under three-four minutes.
Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to assess the situation and spoke with officials and firefighting teams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took notice of the incident and spoke with CM Adityanath, expressing concern and ensuring that everything would be handled properly.