The Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj, Saumya Agarwal, has inaugurated a range of water sports and water rides in the city as part of the Smart City project. The initiative, which was also rolled out during the previous Mahakumbh, will continue as a permanent attraction to enhance the city’s tourism offering.

The newly launched activities include floating restaurants, banana boat rides and motorboats, aimed at providing recreational options for visitors. Ms Agarwal said the facilities are intended to improve the overall experience for tourists visiting Prayagraj, adding that the project forms part of the city’s broader smart urban development programme.

The initiative is being implemented by Prayagraj Smart City Limited under the Smart Cities Mission, an urban renewal and retrofitting scheme of the Government of India. The mission focuses on improving quality of life and driving economic growth through area-based development and technology-led solutions.

The launch comes amid large gatherings of devotees at the Triveni Sangam, where pilgrims from across the country have assembled for the Magh Mela 2026. The Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, is one of the most sacred sites in India.

Ms Agarwal said the first auspicious bathing ritual of Paush Purnima was conducted smoothly, with around 3.1 million devotees taking a holy dip without any major issues. She praised the administrative arrangements, noting that the fair has officially begun and that crowd management and other facilities are operating efficiently.

The annual Magh Mela at Prayagraj is among India’s largest pilgrimages, drawing millions of devotees each year. Every fourth year, it takes the form of the Kumbh Mela, and every twelfth year it becomes the Maha Kumbh Mela, further amplifying its religious and cultural significance.