Anushka Mansharamani
The Nainital High Court directed the Uttarakhand High Court to issue COVID-19 SOPs by 11th January for the Kumbh Mela that takes place in Haridwar every year.
The Kumbh Mela is scheduled to start on 14th January on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti.
The Kumbh Mela is historically known as the largest religious gathering in the world and several Hindu devotees eagerly look forward to this Mela.
On 6th January, while hearing a petition filed, The Nainital High Court directed the Uttarakhand High Court to issue COVID-19 SOPs as the petitioners want the government’s help to provide for the poor people at the quarantine centres.
The Kumbh Mela would be held after 12 years and the Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister, Madan Kaushik stated that the Kumbh Mela would be held for a period of 48 days instead of the 3 and a half months.
The notification for the same would be issued in February.
On 4th January, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Chief Minister took into account the arrangements made amidst the pandemic and stated that the COVID-19 test would be compulsory to be taken by everyone before taking a dip in the Ganga.
Earlier, various funds were sanctioned for projects ahead of the Kumbh Mela and the Chief Minister approved ₹ 17.34 crore for the surveillance of the system.
Additionally, the Chief Minister had allotted ₹ 15.46 for the setting up of 1000 COVID-19 beds.
The Kumbh Mela has launched a campaign named “Paint My City” where in the area around the mela will be painted with pictures from the Hindu mythology.
The Haridwar-Roorkee Development Authority would be running the campaign.