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The routes leading to Prayagraj were paralysed by a 300-km-long traffic jam as the vehicles found it difficult to cruise. Various videos of the tiring jam surfaced on social media.
300-KM-Long Traffic Jam Paralyses Routes To Maha Kumbh (PTI Image)
Maha kumbh: A 300-kilometer-long traffic jam has paralysed Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj hosting the Maha Kumbh Mela as a sea of vehicles and millions of devotees stuck in the jams.
Lakhs of devotees are converging into the city to reach Triveni Sangam – the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati – to take a holy dip. Those moving towards the world’s largest religious gathering found themselves stranded in their vehicles on Sunday, miles away from their destination.
Massive Traffic Jam In Lead Up To Prayagraj
On Sunday, thousands of vehicles were stuck in the massive jam as they found it difficult to move an inch and only cruised at a snail’s pace. The road leads up to the Civil Lines. Alternatively, the Shastri Bridge route can also be taken to reach Sangam.
Maihar Police in Madhya Pradesh said that it was “impossible to move” towards Prayagraj as the traffic jam spread up to 200 to 300 kms.
According to eyewitnesses, there were massive traffic jams across a 250-km stretch from Katni to Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border in Rewa’s Chakghat.
“Traffic Jam of 15 KM before Jabalpur… Still 400 KM to Prayagraj. Please read traffic situation before coming to Mahakumbh,” a commuter wrote on social media over the traffic snarl.
“Caught in probably the biggest traffic jam (15-20km) in the world at Kumbh…Prayagraj is completely gridlocked,” another user said in an early morning post on Monday.
Over 43 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh since religious congregation began on January 13. The event will conclude on February 26.
Akhilesh Yadav Takes Dig At Yogi Govt
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh government and said, “Immediate emergency arrangements should be made for the millions of devotees stuck at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. The pilgrims, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, and stuck in traffic from all sides, should be viewed with humanity. Isn’t the common devotee a human being?”
Emergency arrangements should be made immediately for crores of devotees trapped in Prayagraj Mahakumbh. From all sides, hungry, thirsty, unruly and tired pilgrims should be seen from human point of view. Is the common devotee not a human being? Nawabganj is already 30 km towards Lucknow for entry into Prayagraj… pic.twitter.com/1JXmzgDEGI
– Akhilesh Yadav (@YADAVAKHILesh) February 9, 2025
Akhilesh also shared the video of the traffic jam and urged the Yogi Adityanath government to make immediate emergency arrangements for the stranded pilgrims. He also demanded the toll-free movement to avoid traffic jams during Maha Kumbh.
On the occasion of Mahakumbh, vehicles should be toll free in UP, this will also reduce the barrier of the journey and the crisis of the jam. When the films can be freed entertainment tax, then why not the trains on Mahakumbh’s Mahaparva? pic.twitter.com/1ceISd8WNK– Akhilesh Yadav (@YADAVAKHILesh) February 9, 2025
“On the occasion of Mahakumbh, vehicles in UP should be made toll-free; this would reduce travel obstacles and the problem of traffic jams. If films can be made tax-free for entertainment, why can’t vehicles be made tax-free during the great festival of Mahakumbh?” he said.
On Monday, the Samajwadi Party chief raised the traffic jam issue again and said that the devotees are facing problems and have been “cut off” from their families due to low batteries on their phones.
“People stuck in traffic are trapped in their vehicles for hours. There is no place even for women to take care of their basic needs. No arrangements have been made to care for those who are collapsing on the roads due to exhaustion. Devotees’ mobile phone batteries have died, cutting them off from their families. The lack of communication and information has increased anxiety among the people,” he posted on X.
“No responsible minister or official is seen taking control of the situation. The Chief Minister has already proven to be a complete failure, and the Deputy Chief Minister and several well-known ministers from Prayagraj are nowhere to be found. Is there anyone who truly cares about the suffering devotees?” Akhilesh added, taking a jibe at Yogi and his ministers.
Prayagraj Mahakumbh update: People trapped in jam have been imprisoned in their vehicles for hours.
There is no place for women for daily needs.
There is no arrangement for those who are getting insensitive in the paths.
The battery of the mobile phone of the devotees is over,…
– Akhilesh Yadav (@YADAVAKHILesh) February 10, 2025
Prayagraj Sangam Station To Remain Closed
The Prayagraj district administration said that the Sangam station of Northern Railway, Lucknow division, will be closed for passenger movement starting 1.30 pm on February 9 to 12:00 midnight on February 14.
“Additionally, it is to inform that the operation of regular and special trains is continuing normally at the other eight stations in the Mahakumbh area, which include Prayagraj Chheoki, Naini, Prayagraj Junction, Subedarganj, Prayag, Phaphamau, Prayagraj Rambagh, and Jhusi,” the order said.
- Location :
Uttar Pradesh, India, India
