Allahabad, July 3: Muslims in Allahabad have demolished parts of mosques built on government land as the road widening project is underway to smoothen transport facilities ahead of the Kumbh Mela 2019.

The minority community members, while speaking to news agency ANI, said they have undertaken the demolition voluntarily, without being forced by the authorities.

"We have done this by our own will. These sections were built on govt land have been demolished. Government is widening roads ahead of Kumbh mela and we support it," a local said.

The Kumbh Mela 2019 is scheduled to begin from January 15, with the first 'shahi snan' to be held for the akharas, followed by the second on February 4 on Mauni Amavasya. The third and final snan will be held on February 10, when Basant Panchmi would also be celebrated.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised to organise an extravagant Kumbh in the following year, which he said would attract tourists from all parts of the world.

In his recent public address, Adityanath blame the erstwhile central government for the lack of impetus given for promoting Kumbh.

"In the past, efforts were made to present a distorted picture of the Kumbh. But thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has got an international recognition. All the seers should bless Modi," he had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2018 06:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).