Kumbh Mela: 17,922 RT-PCR tests done, 637 persons found positive in Haridwar

Expecting a massive turnout of devotees on Wednesday on the occasion of Baisakhi Snan, the Haridwar Kumbh Mela administration has firmed up a plan for strict implementation of the entry and the exit timings for the 14 Akhadas for taking a holy dip in the Ganga at the Har Ki Pauri ghat.

A proper implementation will be critical amid the raging Covid-19. On Monday, the administration had struggled to ensure social distancing and other Covid-19 related protocols on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya due to a large gathering of devotees at different ghats.

“Today (Tuesday) the number of people is less than what is expected a day before Baisakhi Snan, indicating that we will have a manageable crowd tomorrow. We are making the best possible arrangements,” Uttarakhand’s director general of police Ashok Kumar, who is camping in Haridwar, told ET. He said the administration is continuously making appeals to people through the public address system to follow the Covid protocols.


The chief medical officer of Haridwar, SK Jha, said the health department is collecting samples at 77 points. “From April 10-12, we conducted 134,349 rapid antigen tests and 17,922 RT-PCR tests, of which 324 and 637 persons respectively were found positive,” he said.

The administration is all set to enforce the security and crowd management arrangement that it had on Monday, said officials. The Kumbh Mela area has been divided into three parts - sectors, zones and super zones. There are 32 sectors, 16 zones and nine super zones. Places like Har Ki Pauri are put under the super zone.

The administration has fixed time for different Akhadas to take a holy dip in the Ganga. “One Akhada takes around 30 minutes for taking a holy dip in the Ganga,” said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified. The Akhadas take out separate processions in order to reach the Har Ki Pauri ghat for the holy dip. So, different routes have been fixed for the entry and exit of the Akhadas.