Lok Sabha Question No. 84 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Special Arrangements for Kumbh Mela
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, S. RAJENDRAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.84 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR KUMBH MELA

84. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  estimated number of saints and sears, common pilgrims, tourists and dignitaries who are expected to reach at Prayagraj to take holy dip during the Kumbh Mela, 2019 from across the globe;
- (b) the details of contribution made on the part of the Ministry for Kumbh Mela, 2019 being organized in Prayagraj along with the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon;
- (c) whether the Government has made any special arrangements for  the  delegates  and  foreign  dignitaries  for  participating  in the Kumbh Mela and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  other  events  organized  by  the  Government  during  the Kumbh Mela, 2019; and
- (e) the measures taken on the policy of conservation, protection and  promotion  of  culture  and  for  its  implementation  in  the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a): As per the information furnished by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, the expected footfalls under various categories are as follows:

-  Total  number of pilgrims - 120 million

-  Pilgrims on Mauni Amavasya - 30 million
-  Foreign tourists - 1 million
-  Kalpvasis - 2 million

(b): The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has undertaken promotion  of  the  Kumbh  Mela,  2019  in  important  and  potential markets  overseas,  as  part  of  its  Global  Media  Campaign  2018-19. The  Kumbh  Mela  has  also  been  promoted  on  the  Social  Media handles of the Ministry of Tourism. Ministry of Culture, released an amount  of  Rs.  1.56  Crore  to  North  Central  Zonal  Cultural  Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj for organising a conclave 'Vaicharik Kumbh' at Prayagraj.

As  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  State  Government  of Uttar  Pradesh,  the  total  sanctioned  budget  for  the  Kumbh  Mela, 2019 is Rs.4000 crore.

- (c): Yes,  madam.  Some  of  the  special  arrangements  made  for delegates and foreign dignitaries are as follows:
-  Tent City with 1200 premium tents
- 
- Sangam tent colony with 50 tents
-  Yamuna  Sankul,  Ganga  Sankul  and  Triveni  Sankul spread across different parts of the Mela

Additionally,  public  accommodation  is  provisioned  to  provide comfortable stay to all the pilgrims and tourists who visit the Mela. The Mela authority has hosted the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Hon'ble  Chief  Minister  of  the  State,  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  of Mauritius, more than 3500 Non Resident Indians on the occasion of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the Heads of Missions from 72 countries and other dignitaries from across the globe.

- (d): The Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to hold more than 500 events in  the  Mela  area  for  promoting  cultural  and  traditional expressions.  Sanskriti grams have been established exclusively for showcasing  historical,  cultural,  social  and  other  aspects  of  the Kumbh Mela and Human History.

North  Central  Zonal  Cultural  Centre,  Prayagraj  of  Ministry  of Culture, Government of India is organising the conclave 'Vaicharik Kumbh' at Prayagraj.

(e): To  protect,  promote  and  preserve  various  forms  of  folk  arts and culture throughout the country, the Government of India has set up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.  These  ZCCs  organised  various  cultural  activities  and programmes on regular basis throughout the country.

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