Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a Rs 10,000 bonus, a medal, and a week’s leave for 75,000 police personnel for their remarkable service during Maha Kumbh Mela.
Speaking at a special event at the Ganga Mandapam, where he received over three Guinness Book of World Record certificates for the Maha Kumbh 2025 on behalf of the UP government, the chief minister described the 45-day religious event as the “world’s largest and most historic gathering”.
After reaching Prayagraj, the CM and his Cabinet colleagues first offered prayers at the Sangam and then took part in a cleanliness drive with sanitation workers.
They also had meals, first with sanitation workers and later with police personnel.
During his interaction with sanitation and health workers, CM Yogi presented them with gifts and Rs 5 lakh health insurance certificates under the Swachh Kumbh Fund.
He also highlighted how the event drew 66.3 crore devotees and contributed to the state’s economy. "This was not just an event of faith; it was an economic phenomenon. The state government invested Rs 7,500 crore in Prayagraj's infrastructure, and in return, the economy saw an unprecedented boost of Rs 3.5 lakh crore," the chief minister said.
The CM also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful organisation of Maha Kumbh 2025, calling it “a truly global event”.
“Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj truly became a global event, and the credit goes to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His vision has helped us successfully execute this grand event, and you (the media) have played a crucial role in conveying its significance to the country and the world. I thank you for that,” said Yogi.
He also highlighted Modi’s concept of integrating faith and economy, stating that spiritual tourism holds immense potential, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as the most suitable state to harness it.
“In 2024 alone, 64 crore pilgrims and tourists visited various religious sites across Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Vindhyachal, Gorakhpur and Naimisharanya,” the chief minister said.
Over the past 45 days, more than 66 crore pilgrims and tourists visited Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, creating new records in religious tourism, he added.
Adityanath also said that the Maha Kumbh led to the development of five major spiritual tourism corridors in Uttar Pradesh.
The first corridor connects Varanasi and Mirzapur to Ayodhya and Gorakhpur via Prayagraj. The second links Prayagraj to Lalapur and Chitrakoot. The third runs from Prayagraj to Lucknow and Naimisharanya. The fourth connects Prayagraj to Agra via the Bundelkhand Expressway, extending to Mathura, Vrindavan and Sukhteerth.
The central and state governments, under the ‘double-engine’ governance model (BJP in Centre and Uttar Pradesh), spent approximately Rs 7,500 crore on both permanent and temporary infrastructure for the Maha Kumbh, the chief minister said.
“These included the construction of over 200 roads, 14 flyovers, multiple underpasses, and 12 corridors in Prayagraj for the first time. These developments have significantly enhanced the city’s appeal to tourists,” he said.
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