Unprecedented 300-Km Traffic Gridlock Strands Pilgrims En Route to Maha Kumbh
A massive traffic snarl, stretching up to 300 kilometers, brought vehicular movement to a standstill on routes leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Lakhs of devotees eager to attend the world’s largest religious gathering found themselves stuck on highways for hours—some even for days—hundreds of kilometers away from the event site.
‘World’s Biggest Traffic Jam’ Causes Chaos
The congestion, dubbed by netizens as the “world’s biggest traffic jam,” reportedly spanned 200-300 km and affected routes passing through Madhya Pradesh. As a result, police halted traffic across multiple districts on Sunday to prevent further overcrowding, forcing thousands of vehicles to a standstill.
On Saturday, authorities in Madhya Pradesh had already begun stopping vehicles en route to Prayagraj to manage the overwhelming traffic. Police officials in Katni, Maihar, and Jabalpur urged stranded travelers to find temporary shelter, announcing that movement towards Prayagraj would remain suspended until Monday.
Frustration Mounts as Pilgrims Share Ordeal
Eyewitnesses described nightmarish delays, with some stuck for over 48 hours. Many reported covering just 50 km in nearly 12 hours. Videos circulating on social media showed an endless line of vehicles stranded across Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa districts.
One frustrated traveler wrote on X, “Stuck in the worst traffic jam of my life! 15 km before Jabalpur… still 400 km from Prayagraj. Think twice before heading to Mahakumbh.” Another post read, “Moved only 5 km in 5 hours. Should have reached Lucknow by now, but had to cancel my flight and book another at double the cost. Absolute chaos!”
Officials Work to Ease the Gridlock
Inspector General of Police (Rewa zone) Saket Prakash Pandey acknowledged the severe congestion, stating that efforts were underway to coordinate with Prayagraj authorities and regulate vehicle movement.
Rewa District Collector Pratibha Pal assured stranded travelers that arrangements for food, water, and shelter were being made. However, she noted that the sheer volume of pilgrims heading toward Prayagraj continued to exert immense pressure on highways.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma urged party workers to assist pilgrims, offering food and shelter where necessary. “Let us ensure no devotee faces hardship on their spiritual journey to Maha Kumbh,” he posted on X.
Maha Kumbh Draws Unprecedented Crowds
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has already attracted over 40 crore devotees from across India and the world. The sacred ‘Snan’ or holy dip at the Sangam—where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge—remains the focal point of this grand religious gathering.
As authorities work to resolve the massive congestion, pilgrims continue to pour into Prayagraj, determined to partake in the spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh despite the daunting journey.
