The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 concluded on Wednesday, marking the end of a 45-day event that drew over 660 million visitors, making it the world’s largest human gathering.
Handling the sea of devotees arriving in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—required massive logistical planning and preparation.
The Mahakumbh site was transformed into a sprawling temporary city. Thousands of tents and shelters were erected, including deluxe accommodations like the IRCTC’s “Maha Kumbh Gram” luxury tent city, offering modern amenities.
Infrastructure development included the renovation of 92 roads, beautification of 17 major streets, and the construction of 30 pontoon bridges with 3,308 pontoons to ensure smooth connectivity. Signage in Hindi, English, and regional languages helped visitors navigate the festival area. Additionally, 2,69,000 checkered plates were laid to create clear pathways, while mobile toilets and an effective waste management system maintained hygiene throughout the event.
Medical Services
Mahakumbh 2025 saw an extensive deployment of medical resources. Over 2,000 medical personnel were stationed across the Mela grounds, with several high-tech hospitals offering centralized care. The Uttar Pradesh government set up 23 hospitals, with a total of 360 beds, to provide emergency and specialized medical services. AI-powered technology enabled doctors to communicate in 22 regional and 19 international languages, ensuring smooth healthcare operations.
Traditional Indian healing practices also played a significant role, with over 1.21 lakh devotees benefiting from Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy treatments. Twenty AYUSH hospitals offered alternative treatments to more than 2.18 lakh pilgrims. Daily therapeutic yoga sessions led by experts from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga were conducted at designated camps.
Security Measures
Security was heightened with the deployment of AI-powered surveillance systems, including drones and underwater monitoring devices. A force of over 50,000 personnel, including paramilitary units, was stationed to ensure safety. AI-based CCTV cameras, totaling 2,750, monitored crowd movement, while underwater drones provided constant surveillance of the river.
Transportation and Connectivity
Indian Railways played a critical role, running over 1,000 special trains to accommodate the influx of visitors. Key railway stations saw improved infrastructure, while an additional 1,200 buses were deployed for road transportation. Prayagraj Airport underwent modernization, with 81 new flights added in January, connecting 17 cities directly to the event.
Food Safety and Cleanliness
The state ensured food security by distributing over 1,000 metric tons of subsidized rations across Prayagraj. Free meals were provided to 20,000 people daily, while mobile food testing labs maintained hygiene at food stalls. Over 22,000 sanitation workers were employed as part of the Swachh Maha Kumbh Abhiyan initiative, ensuring a cleaner pilgrimage experience, while river cleaning measures were diligently carried out.
The provision of clean drinking water was a top priority, with 233 Water ATMs installed around the Mela area, dispensing RO-purified water 24/7. More than 40 lakh pilgrims accessed these facilities, and by early February, the water was made free. These Water ATMs not only served 12,000-15,000 liters of water daily but also promoted sustainability by encouraging bottle refills to reduce plastic waste.
Among the prominent figures who visited the Mahakumbh were President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, all of whom took part in the holy dip at the Sangam.