Magh Mela set to be cost-effective, eco-friendly affair
The administration has decided to introduce LED lights in the camps of devotees and administrative wings. The officials have also decided to ban the use of polythene bags and plastic at the mela area.
The annual Magh Mela on the banks of Sangam will be more environment- friendly and cost-efficient this year.
To reduce consumption of electricity during the 43-day religious congregation, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has decided to introduce LED lights in the camps of devotees and administrative wings of the mela. Magh Mela will commence on January 12 with the first official bathing of Paush Purnima.Executive engineer, UPPCL, and nodal officer of Magh Mela, Vinod Kumar, said LED lights would be installed in 4,000 tents while CFL and tube lights would be used at other spots.
“From 2018 onwards, only LED lights will be used in Magh Mela,” he said.
Kumar said about 9,000 electricity poles would be erected in the mela area, of which 8,000 would be used for street lights. “Besides, 315-kilometre of LT line and 26-kilometre high-voltage 11,000 kilovolt power cables will be laid,” he added. An estimated budget of Rs 16 crore has been forwarded to the state government for the works, including setting up of 17 temporary power substations comprising 34 transformers of 400 KVA.
Talking to HT, Magh Mela officer Ashish Mishra said the proposed budget for the congregation was Rs 70 crore out of which Rs 30 crore had been received from the state government. “It will be a greener affair as for the first time the mela administration has decided to provide adequate space to potters and makers of leaf plates. The aim is to promote the use of earthen cups and leaf plates among pilgrims and seers,” Mishra said.
The administration has also decided to ban the use of polythene bags and plastic at the venue. “Potters and leaf-plate makers will be allowed to sell their products from Parade to Jhunsi so that there is no shortage of ‘kulhars’ (earthen cups) and ‘pattals’ (leaf-plates) during the 43-day event,” he said.
Mishra said all shops selling eatables and snacks would have to offer their products on leaf plates or earthen cups.
District magistrate, Allahabad, Sanjay Kumar said action would be initiated against institutions and individuals using plastic or polythene during their stay in Mela area.
A total of 2,300 organisations and institutions will be provided land to set up camps. Of these, over a hundred will run round-the-clock kitchens offering free meal to all.
The district administration is also planning to hold a meeting with seers.