Gaya: The district administration has activated a 24-hour control room to assist pilgrims during the Gaya Pitru Paksha Mela 2026. The control room was inaugurated at the Vishnupad Sansav Sadan by the Magadh Divisional Commissioner and Gaya District Magistrate. It will handle calls related to pilgrims’ complaints, information and requests for assistance and forward them to the concerned departments and officials. The Pitru Paksha Mela is scheduled to begin on September 25.
Helpline Number Issued For Pilgrims
The administration has issued an e-Samadhan IVRS helpline number — 9266628168 for pilgrims visiting Gaya during the mela. Pilgrims can use the number to seek information about the mela area, ghats, pind-daan sites, accommodation, traffic and other essential facilities.
Complaints can also be registered through the helpline. The IVRS system has been linked with senior officials so that complaints can be directed to the concerned authorities.
Four Hotline Lines To Handle Calls
The control room has one main line and four hotline lines to handle a large volume of calls during the mela.
Trained volunteers from the Nehru Yuva Kendra will operate the call centre. Free Wi-Fi has also been made available at the facility.
The district administration has directed officials to monitor every call received at the control room and prepare compliance reports.
The information collected through the calls will also help the administration identify the issues most frequently reported by pilgrims and coordinate with the concerned departments for their resolution.
Temporary Control Rooms At Devghat And Akshayvat
Temporary control rooms have also been established at Devghat and Akshayvat to provide assistance to pilgrims closer to the mela sites.
Public address systems will be used at these locations and at crowded ghats and pind-daan sites to provide information about routes, traffic, accommodation and other essential arrangements.
Lost-And-Found Centres Activated
The administration has also activated lost-and-found centres for pilgrims who become separated from their family members during the mela.
Public address systems will be installed at these centres to help locate and reunite missing family members.
If a pilgrim is found but their relatives cannot immediately be contacted, the person will be kept safely at the tent city until their family is located.
The administration will provide necessary assistance and monitor the person until they are reunited with their relatives.
Officials Asked To Remain Alert
The district administration has instructed personnel deployed at the control room and other facilities to remain sensitive and alert to pilgrims’ concerns.
Complaints received through the helpline will be monitored and coordinated with the relevant departments for timely action.
The arrangements are part of the administration’s preparations to provide information, assistance and support to pilgrims during the Pitru Paksha Mela 2026 in Gaya.
