PRAYAGRAJ, July 23 -- In a significant step toward strengthening infrastructure and pilgrim services, several key proposals received in-principle approval during the 21st board meeting of the Prayagraj Mela Authority held under the chairmanship of divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant on Tuesday. The meeting focused on improving year-round amenities in the Mela and Sangam areas. A major decision was the enhancement of sanitation infrastructure, with approval granted to increase the number of tippers, compactors, JCBs, and suction machines for regular waste disposal. To ensure smooth, year-round access to the Sangam, the Board gave the green light to the construction of a 2-kilometre checkered plate road, which will remain operational except during the flood season. Other essential civic upgrades-such as improved drinking water supply, drainage, and lighting across the Mela grounds-were also approved. For the convenience of pilgrims and tourists, the Board ratified the purchase of a towing boat. This will help safely relocate floating jetties equipped with changing rooms, which were previously acquired for the mega event, especially in the event of floods or emergencies. Several new initiatives aimed at improving pilgrim and tourist experience were also cleared. These include the introduction of hop-on, hop-off bus services to connect visitors with key tourist sites in Prayagraj, and the deployment of golf carts to facilitate last-mile transportation from parking zones to major points in the Mela area. A trash skimmer will also be procured to remove offerings such as flowers and coconuts from the Ganga. To promote river tourism, the Authority has approved the evening and night-time (until 10 PM) operation of double-decker cruise boats. An online platform will also be developed to allow tourists and devotees to pre-book boats for bathing at the Sangam.htc...