Maha Kumbh 2025: Cylinder Blast Fire Extinguished in Just 22 Minutes
The vast temporary city of Maha Kumbh 2025, spanning 10,000 acres and hosting over one crore pilgrims and sadhus at any given time, presents significant crowd management challenges. With around 20 lakh visitors arriving daily, the Integrated Control Command Center (ICCC) plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations and averting any untoward incidents.
Advanced Monitoring System
Each of the four ICCCs employs over 400 personnel who continuously monitor live footage and data from key locations using large screens. To facilitate this, more than 3,000 cameras, underwater drones, and 60,000 security personnel have been deployed.
Amit Kumar, Superintendent of Police and head of the ICCC, highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crowd management. “For the first time globally, AI is being deployed on such a large scale. Out of 3,000 cameras, 1,800 are AI-enabled, ensuring precise data capture and eliminating guesswork,” he said. Alerts are triggered when crowd density exceeds permissible limits, prompting immediate response from ground teams.
Rapid Response to Fire Incident
On Sunday, a cylinder explosion at the Gita Press camp in Sector 19 triggered an immediate response. The ICCC received the alert within seconds, and water tenders arrived at the site within seven minutes. The fire was successfully doused in just 22 minutes, with no casualties reported.
Gita Press trustee Krishna Kumar Khemka stated, “The fire originated outside our premises but quickly spread, causing significant material damage. However, all individuals on our premises are safe.” He added that 170 cottages were destroyed, with losses running into crores. The local administration and fire brigade acted swiftly to contain the blaze.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to assess the situation, issuing necessary instructions to officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also briefed on the incident, and the administration is providing full support to restore normalcy.
Ensuring Security and Order
To maintain continuous surveillance, the ICCC operates four centers: one at the main office, one in the city, and two in the Jhunsi and Arail areas. Security is bolstered by 60,000 police personnel and 56 dedicated police stations, supported by 30 pontoon bridges and strategically placed entry and exit gates under constant camera surveillance.
A police supervisor at the command center stated, “We work 10-hour shifts to monitor live feeds, while a dedicated call center handles pilgrim complaints. These are linked to emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance helplines.”
Resilience and Moving Forward
Despite the setback, the Gita Press community remains undeterred. “We see this as a test and are moving forward with full motivation,” Khemka stated. “The Kalpavas will continue as planned, with all necessary precautions in place.”
The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13 and will continue for 45 days, has already witnessed over seven crore pilgrims taking the holy bath at the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati rivers meet. The administration remains committed to ensuring a safe and fulfilling experience for all attendees.
