Rs 170 crore budget for 'Ardha Kumbha'

Lucknow, June 20 (UNI) A budget of Rs 170 crore has been allocated for the 'Ardha Kumbha Mela' slated in January next year at Allahabad.

The budgetary allocation has been doubled from the last 'Ardha Kumbha'.

This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here today.

Mr Yadav directed officials to ensure that all amenities including lodgings and lavatories for the lakhs of devotees, who congregate for the event, are in place before the start of the Mela.

The CM said arrangements should be undertaken on a war-footing in this regard.

'Ardha Kumbha' and 'Kumbha' fall every six yrs and 12 yrs respectively and figure prominently on the Hindu religious calendar.

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