Maha Kumbh from space: Before-after images of Pragayagraj capture massive infra buildup

The images have been captured from prominent locations such as the intersection of the Ganges River at the Triveni Sangam, Shivalay Park, and the Parade Grounds

New satellite images released by the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Center in Hyderabad show massive infrastructure works undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, regarded as the world's largest religious gathering.

These images were captured by ISRO-NSRC's EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) 'C' band microwave satellite, which is all-weather capable and has fine resolution. (ISRO_NSRC)

The images have been captured from prominent locations in Prayagraj, such as the intersection of the Ganges River at the Triveni Sangam, Shivalay Park, and the Parade Grounds.

These images have been captured by EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) 'C' band microwave satellite, with its all-weather capability and fine resolution.

The time series images captured by the satellites show the construction of Shivalay Park, the India-shaped park in Prayagraj. Spread across 12 acres of land, it is designed to be a major attraction for the festival. The images, taken on three separate dates, capture the construction of the landmark.

The image below shows the infrastructure development at Triveni Sangam. The numbers indicate the following facilities. 1-Triveni Sangam; 2 and 3 -pontoon bridges; 4 -parking and medical facilities at the Parade Ground; 5,6,7 and 8 -shows the development of tents. (ISRO-NSRC)

The following image shows improved facilities at Shivalay Park in Prayagraj from 6 April 2024 to 10 January 2025. (ISRO-NSRC)

The image below of the Ganges River's confluence shows temporary pontoon bridges and other structures. (ISRO-NSRC)

Infrastructure development at the Parade Grounds. (ISRO-NSRC)

Yogi Adityanath visits Kumbh

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Aditanath visited the Triveni Sangam with his cabinet ministers on Wednesday and took a holy dip. Earlier, the cabinet announced several key decisions on development projects and policy changes to boost the state's growth.

“The revised aerospace and defence policy will include new incentives to attract large investments into the sector,” Adityanath said.

“New investment proposals were presented, and Letters of Intent (LOIs) will be issued. Among the key investments, a ₹10,000 crore investment in Mirzapur and additional proposals in Moradabad were discussed. There are two more such projects,” he added.

The chief minister also said the scheme to provide smartphones and tablets to the state's youth will be rolled out in the coming months. The government has allocated funds for this programme, he informed.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the state government for holding a cabinet meeting at a religious place.

“Kumbh or Prayagraj is not the place where politics or political decisions should be taken. To organise cabinet meeting at Kumbh is political. Many of us (Samajwadi party people) must have gone to take a holy dip but didn't post a picture or told you (media),” Yadav said.

(With agency inputs)