Prayagraj: The MahaKumbh Mela, currently underway in Uttar Pradesh, is witnessing a remarkable surge in the number of foreign tourists.

On Thursday, Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced that, given the unprecedented response from international visitors, the government has revised its estimate of foreign tourist arrivals to 3 million, doubling the earlier projection of 1.5 million.

Shekhawat, speaking at a travel trade show, said, "Initially, we had estimated that around 1.5 million foreign tourists would visit the Maha Kumbh. However, considering the overwhelming response and footfall we have witnessed, we have doubled our estimate."

The minister also revealed that by Wednesday, the 17th day of the 45-day-long Hindu festival, 170 million people had already visited the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. The event will conclude on February 25. This year's Maha Kumbh is considered particularly special due to a rare astronomical alignment that occurs once every 144 years.

The government estimates that a total of 450 million people will participate in the festival. In comparison, 250 million people attended the Maha Kumbh in 2019. This year's event is expected to surpass other major global gatherings in terms of participation, as mentioned in an official release.

Shekhawat further highlighted that international tourists contribute approximately ₹2.3 trillion in revenue, and India is nearing pre-COVID levels in this regard. He added that the country's tourism industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% over the next few decades, driven by the expanding middle class and rising disposable incomes.

"We can envision India not only as a tourism destination but also as a tourism market," Shekhawat said. He also noted that the government is working on reducing overcrowding at popular sites and promoting alternative tourist destinations.