Prayagraj: Pilgrims heading to Sangam and other bathing ghats during the 2027 Magh Mela will have more crossing points over river Ganga next year, with the administration planning nine pontoon bridges to ease movement and reduce pressure on major approach roads. For the first time, two of these bridges will be constructed towards Chhatnag, while seven will connect Daraganj with Sangam area.Importantly, the two pontoon bridges that were constructed over Ganga during earlier Magh Melas and Kumbh and connected Phaphamau with the city will not be built next year.In place of these, the two pontoon bridges are now proposed on Chhatnag side, connecting Naini area with the main mela area. These are expected to cost around Rs 2 crore. The remaining seven bridges between Daraganj and Sangam area will entail an estimated expenditure of around Rs 3 crore, taking the total cost of the nine bridges to nearly Rs 5 crore.Pontoon bridges form an important part of Mela’s traffic and pedestrian management system as they provide direct access to Sangam area and bathing ghats, allowing pilgrims to avoid longer detours. The decision to construct two bridges towards Chhatnag is significant as it will provide an additional route for pilgrims travelling between Chhatnag, Arail and Sangam area.Officials said the additional crossings are also expected to help distribute the huge flow of pilgrims and reduce pressure on the main roads leading to the mela area. Along with construction of the bridges, the administration will also work on improving the approach roads and regulating movement around the crossings.PWD executive engineer Surendra Singh said the cost of constructing a pontoon bridge had been around Rs 35 lakh last year, while the estimated expenditure has risen to around Rs 45 lakh per bridge this year.A major reason for doing away with the pontoon bridge towards Phaphamau is the fact that vehicular traffic is expected to start using the six-lane bridge over Ganga.“We have decided not to construct pontoon bridges at Phaphamau as the new permanent bridge will provide an additional route for movement and reduce the need for temporary crossings,” said deputy mela adhikari Vivek Shukla.The 52-day Magh Mela 2027 will begin on Jan 14-15 and conclude on March 6. Makar Sankranti will fall on Jan 14-15, followed by Paush Purnima on Jan 22, the day when the month-long Kalpwas will begin. Likewise, Mauni Amavasya will be observed on Feb 6, Basant Panchami on Feb 11, Maghi Purnima on Feb 20 and Mahashivratri on March 6, the day when the mela will formally conclude.
