US, UK & Indian-breed horses to aid in crowd management at Mahakumbh

Mahakumbh Nagar : The Yogi government is set to deploy specially trained Mounted Police to manage crowd control during Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. These officers will patrol areas inaccessible to regular police on foot, ensuring smooth movement for millions of devotees.

To support this initiative, 130 horses and 166 police personnel have been deployed, featuring a mix of Indian, American, and English breeds. Special care is being taken to ensure the horses’ optimal health and performance, with a focus on their diet and medical needs in preparation for the event.

The Mounted Police is expected to play an important role in maintaining discipline and safety during Mahakumbh. Their patrolling will ensure the safety of devotees while also managing crowd movement and maintaining order. This approach, symbolizing both efficiency and effectiveness, is set to ease the challenges of the enormous crowd expected at the event.

Prashant Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, confirmed that the horses have undergone special training to manage crowds effectively without causing harm to devotees. The training, conducted at the Moradabad and Sitapur Training Centers, has equipped the Mounted Police to handle crowd management in both land and water.

Counter Inspector Prem Babu of the Mounted Police Line stated that American Warmblood and England’s Thoroughbred horses have been procured from the Army to complement the Indian-bred horses. These horses are being acclimatized to the Mahakumbh terrain through regular morning and evening patrols, ensuring familiarity with the fair’s geographical conditions.

Additionally, the Mounted Police is supported by a team of three veterinarians, ensuring the health and well-being of these horses. A routine schedule is maintained, including daily massages and monthly grooming to maintain their physical fitness.

The horses are given a special diet that includes:
1 kg of gram
100 grams of jaggery
100 grams of linseed oil
2 kg of barley
1 kg of bran
25 kg of green grass
30 grams of salt

Number of Horses: 130
Mounted Police (Inspector, Sub Inspector, Head Constable, and Constable): 131
Additional Staff for Horse Care: 35

Some of the prominent horses deployed include Dara, Raka, Shaheen, Jackie, Gauri, Ahilya, and Rankumbh. These horses have been rigorously trained to handle the demands of large crowds while ensuring the safety and comfort of the devotees.