New Delhi: As Uttar Pradesh prepares for the Maha Kumbh 2025, authorities are bracing for a massive influx of 40 crore devotees from across India and abroad.
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is undertaking extensive preparations to ensure a smooth and memorable pilgrimage experience.
One initiative for the massive fair that stands out is introducing the paying guest (PG) facility, encouraging local residents of Prayagraj to open their homes to devotees seeking affordable and simple accommodations with all the comforts of home.
This scheme aims to offer a warm, culturally immersive stay, relieving pilgrims from the high costs of hotels while providing them with quality facilities at reasonable rates.
The tourism department is training local residents interested in participating in hospitality, cleanliness and best practices for interacting with guests.
Training modules cover everything from good behaviour to offering comfort and ensuring pilgrims a safe, welcoming environment.
To streamline the process, a toll-free helpline and a dedicated WhatsApp number have been set up to guide potential hosts through registration.
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Currently, the tourism department has set a goal to establish the PG system in 2,000 local homes, with accommodations and food facilities available for devotees.
This number may expand depending on demand. To register, homeowners simply need to submit a nominal fee of Rs 50 along with basic documentation, after which they will receive a verified licence valid for three years.
The scheme promises to ease the accommodation crunch and provide a steady source of income for local families. Hosts are free to set their rent rates without government interference.
The Maha Kumbh is a 45-day religious event held once in 12 years.
The Maha Kumbh, which is scheduled to begin on January 14, 2025, is spread across 4,000 hectares along the river bank. The event is being conducted on an estimated budget of nearly Rs 6,382 crore, of which over Rs 5,600 crore has already been set aside for it and related projects.
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–IANS
