The Uttar Pradesh Police are embracing digital technology to manage the massive security operation for the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela. A new biometric attendance system has been implemented, replacing traditional paper-based record-keeping for the approximately 50,000 police personnel deployed for the event. This digital shift promises significant time savings and improved accuracy in personnel management.
The biometric system is already in use during the ongoing training sessions for Mahakumbh personnel. These comprehensive training programs cover a range of essential skills, including soft skills, disaster management, and detailed geographical knowledge of the Mela site. SSP Kumbh Mela, Rajesh Dwivedi, highlighted the system’s efficiency, stating that it eliminates the challenges associated with maintaining traditional attendance registers. He emphasized the increased accuracy and streamlined record-keeping provided by the biometric approach.
Over 10,000 police personnel have already completed the first two phases of training, with the third phase currently underway. Officers from across Uttar Pradesh are now in place, their details securely stored within the biometric system for efficient monitoring and management throughout the duration of the Mela. The complete digitalization of personnel records ensures a more organized and effective security presence.
The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest gatherings, is expected to draw an estimated 40 crore devotees to the banks of the Ganges River for a month-long period from January 13th to February 26th, 2025. This massive religious pilgrimage, celebrated four times every twelve years at different sacred river locations across India, requires extensive planning and meticulous logistical management. The implementation of the biometric attendance system represents a significant step towards a more efficient and effective security operation for this globally significant event.