As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 draws millions of devotees to Prayagraj, chaos has erupted on the highways leading to the holy city. Reports indicate that vehicles have been stuck in a massive traffic jam stretching up to 300 kilometers, with some travelers stranded for over 48 hours. The unprecedented congestion has left thousands of pilgrims struggling to reach their destination.
The situation has become so dire that authorities in neighboring Madhya Pradesh have halted vehicle movement on certain routes to Prayagraj. Police officials have stated that it is nearly impossible to proceed toward the city due to the extensive gridlock. “The traffic jam spans 200-300 kilometers, making it unmanageable to move toward Prayagraj today,” a police official was quoted as saying.
One frustrated traveler shared, “Vehicles have been stuck for 48 hours, and it’s taking 10-12 hours just to cover 50 kilometers.” The congestion has not only affected highways but also internal routes within Prayagraj, with jams extending up to 7 kilometers in the city.
To manage the overwhelming crowds, authorities have temporarily closed the Prayagraj Sangam railway station. “With the heavy influx of devotees, passengers were facing difficulties exiting the station. We decided to shut it down to ensure safety,” explained Kuldeep Tiwari, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway, Lucknow. Additionally, the North Central Railway has implemented a one-way traffic system at Prayagraj Junction station until further notice.
The traffic crisis has drawn criticism from political leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for the mismanagement. Yadav suggested that tolls should be waived for vehicles heading to the Maha Kumbh to ease travel and reduce congestion. He also raised concerns about shortages of essential supplies in the city due to the gridlock.
Despite the challenges, the spiritual fervor remains undiminished. Officials report that over 46 lakh devotees took a holy dip in the Sangam today, bringing the total number of pilgrims to an astounding 44 crore since the Maha Kumbh began last month.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are working to alleviate the congestion and ensure the safety and convenience of the millions of devotees attending this historic event.
