The Indian government recently said 45 crore devotees, including 15 lakh foreign pilgrims, are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh festival, one of the largest religious congregations in the world, which is currently going on in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh.

In comparison, 25 crore people attended the 2019 Kumbh Mela, according to a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Culture.

The ongoing Maha Kumbh started on January 13 and will continue till February 26.

While interacting with the foreign media, Uttar Pradesh officials noted that the Mahakumbh will surpass other major global events in terms of attendance.

With 70 lakh attending the Rio Carnival, 25 lakh at Haj, and 72 lakh at Oktoberfest, the Mahakumbh 2025 stands unmatched with an anticipated 45 crore attendees.

"Mahakumbh 2025 is set to deliver a significant economic boost, contributing up to Rs. 2 lakh crore to India’s economy. Uttar Pradesh's GDP is expected to grow by over 1%," read a government statement.

Trade in daily essentials is projected at Rs. 17,310 crore, with the hotel and travel sectors reaching Rs. 2,800 crore.

Religious materials and flowers are estimated to generate Rs. 2,000 crore and Rs. 800 crore, respectively.

The Ministry said to ensure a smooth and safe event, extensive infrastructure has been developed in Prayagraj.

Key projects include 14 new flyovers, 9 permanent ghats, 7 new bus stations, and 12 kilometers of temporary ghats.

Security measures have been ramped up, with 37,000 policemen, 14,000 home guards, and 2,750 AI-based CCTV cameras deployed.

Health services feature 6,000 beds, 43 hospitals, and air ambulances. Additionally, 10,200 sanitation workers and 1,800 Ganga Sevadut are deployed to maintain cleanliness during the event.