300-Km Traffic Jam on Routes to Maha Kumbh: Vehicles Stuck for 48 Hours
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Thousands of devotees heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj have been stranded for hours due to massive traffic jams, reportedly stretching up to 300 kilometers. The congestion has paralyzed key highways leading to the holy city, leaving travelers stuck for nearly 48 hours in some areas.
Despite earlier assumptions that crowds might subside after the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan, the opposite has happened, with a continuous influx of pilgrims heading to Prayagraj for the sacred dip.
Why the Traffic Chaos?
Several factors have contributed to the massive gridlock:
- Overloaded Highways – A surge of devotees traveling at the same time has overwhelmed road capacity.
- Navigation Issues – Many travelers relying on digital maps have taken the same routes, leading to severe bottlenecks.
- Entry and Exit Bottlenecks – Restricted movement in and out of Prayagraj has worsened the situation.
- Lack of Travel Planning – Some motorists suggest that alternate routes remain open, but most people have taken the busiest paths.
One motorist, who successfully returned from Prayagraj to Lucknow in five hours, said, “Many travelers seem to have chosen the same route. There are multiple ways to reach Prayagraj smoothly, but most are stuck on one road.”
Authorities Struggle to Manage the Chaos
In response to the crisis, police in neighboring Madhya Pradesh have temporarily stopped vehicle movement on one of the main routes leading to Prayagraj.
“It is nearly impossible to reach Prayagraj today. The traffic jam spans between 200 to 300 kilometers,” a police official said.
Inspector General of Police (Rewa zone) Saket Prakash Pandey attributed the jams to the weekend rush and assured that the situation should improve in a few days. Traffic is now being regulated in coordination with the Prayagraj administration.
However, the delays remain severe. “It’s taking 10-12 hours to cover just 50 km,” said one frustrated traveler stuck in the jam.
Train Stations Affected
The Prayagraj Sangam railway station has been temporarily shut down to prevent overcrowding and potential safety risks.
“Passengers were struggling to exit the station due to the heavy crowd outside. We decided to close it as a precaution,” said Railways officer Kuldeep Tiwari.
Meanwhile, at Prayagraj Junction station, authorities have implemented a one-way traffic system to ease congestion.
Current Situation
- Traffic jams of 25 km have been reported on routes from Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur.
- Inside Prayagraj, gridlock of up to 7 km has been witnessed.
- Travelers are advised to take alternate routes and plan their journey wisely to avoid long delays.
With millions expected at the Maha Kumbh in the coming days, authorities are working to prevent further chaos. However, travelers should brace for continued congestion and plan their pilgrimage accordingly.
