Title - Welcome To IANS Live - NATION - UP gears up for Kumbh Mela 2013

Lucknow, May 14: Gearing up for the Kumbh Mela being held in Allahabad next year, the Uttar Pradesh government has said that preparations will be reviewed every fortnight.

At a meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Jawwed Usmani here Sunday, departments overseeing preparations for the religious congregation were directed to nominate nodal officers and pass on their personal details such as telephone numbers and email ids to the urban development department.

Usmani also asked officials to ensure coordination between different departments for Kumbh Mela 2013, which is likely to see millions of devotees from across the world turn up at Allahabad, the Sangam city.

The chief secretary instructed officials to ensure that all funds, including the Rs.172.33 crore released already, are utilised properly. Departments which have not released the funds have been asked to expedite the process.

Officials are also to coordinate with the UP State Roadways Transport Corporation, the Indian Railways and the Railway Board for plying buses and special trains to Allahabad during the fair.