The MahaKumbh is currently witnessing a tremendous crowd. The city of Prayagraj is at a standstill with clogged borders lined with vehicles stretching for several kilometers. By late evening, numerous districts surrounding Prayagraj were gridlocked due to the influx of pilgrims to the MahaKumbh. Highways from Raebareli, Kaushambi,
Varanasi, Kanpur,
saw vehicles moving at a snail’s pace, while travelers from afar were forced to remain parched and famished, trapped in their cars for hours. In several spots, the police had to announce for people to retreat and return for the holy dip once the crowd eased. However, many were unwilling to comply. Meanwhile, the influx of pilgrims at the MahaKumbh Mela site was a sight to behold. Despite the massive turnout, police and administration are prepared for an orderly bathing experience. There is now some relief from the jams.
A family from East Delhi’s Yamuna Vihar recounted their experience battling horrendous traffic jams along the way. They endured hours of confinement in their vehicles and ended up walking several kilometers even after reaching the Kumbh Mela area. The situation was such that finding space near the confluence for a dip was a challenge. Now even returning seems laborious due to continuous reports of congestion.
Source: aajtak
Pooja, who journeyed from Delhi to the MahaKumbh with her family, shared her ordeal, stating they left on a Saturday night at 9 PM, only to enter Prayagraj Sunday at 4 PM after navigating extensive jams. Finding parking consumed several more hours until midnight, finally walking 5 kilometers and seeking a matador to reach the ghats, taking almost 3 hours given the intense crowd. But splashing in the sacred waters brought immense satisfaction.
The distance from Yamuna Vihar to Prayagraj is approximately 670 km by road, typically completed in about 11 hours. However, traffic jams stretched Pooja and her family’s journey to 24 hours, further extending their trek to the ghats.
Source: aajtak
Returning via the
Bhadohi-Prayagraj Highway,
Ritu from Navada, Bihar expressed that the holy dip went smoothly, but traffic jams were a recurring battle. Every 10 kilometers brought traffic congestion. Still, for the MahaKumbh dip, it seemed trivial. A pilgrim from Jharkhand’s Deoghar remarked on the excellent arrangements made by Yogi Ji, enduring minor jams wasn’t an issue. The baths proceed smoothly and the situation remains under control.
With traffic jams causing distress, children and the elderly suffered. A pilgrim from Haryana stated they came for the holy dip at MahaKumbh, but have been stuck for 36 hours, unable to venture out. Despite assurances from the UP government of full arrangements for the pilgrims, the jams were troublesome.
Source: aajtak
Rae Bareli's Ramkripal recounted being stranded for five hours on the Lucknow-Prayagraj Highway before Fafamau. He parked at Bela Kachar, proceeding on foot to the Sangam Ghat.
Heavy traffic on highways returning from the MahaKumbh overwhelmed the Prayagraj-Varanasi National Highway. Seeing the traffic congestion, the Bhadohi administration temporarily abolished toll fees at Lala Nagar Toll Plaza. However, by morning, the situation returned to normal.
On Sunday, a deluge of vehicles on the Bhadohi Highway created traffic chaos for kilometers. Slow-moving vehicles and extensive lines at the toll plaza hindered traffic flow. In response, the administration eliminated tolls temporarily.
The societal strain witnessed on the MahaKumbh routes prompted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to seek emergency arrangements for stranded pilgrims. Additionally, overflowing crowds at the station prompted the closure of Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station.
Source: aajtak
Statistics released by the Mela administration reported over 1.42 crore pilgrims bathed in the Ganges and Sangam by Sunday evening. Cumulatively, over 42 crore devotees have taken the holy dip.
Concerning traffic congestion, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav posted on Ex, urging the government to implement immediate emergency arrangements for the stranded devotees suffering from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion entangled in traffic jams. “Are common devotees not human?” he pondered.
He further elaborated on social media, identifying specific choke points such as Nawabganj, 30 kilometers from Prayagraj entry from Lucknow, Gohania, 16 km before Rewa Road, and 12 to 15 kilometers towards Varanasi where train engines have been reportedly overcrowded.
Source: aajtak
On ‘Ex,’ Akhilesh Yadav shared a video from Madhya Pradesh, highlighting police efforts to dissuade travelers from heading to Prayagraj due to heavy traffic. “Both states have BJP at the helm. One invites to the MahaKumbh, the other advises against crossing,” he asserted.
ADCP Traffic, Kuldeep Singh explained, “The influx of vehicles is significant, with visitors striving to get as close as possible to the MahaKumbh Mela area, resulting in extensive jams. Singh mentioned that crowd levels rivaled those of Mouni Amavasya. Distant parking remains 50% occupied. Closer parking is relatively smaller compared to larger distant parking.
According to ADCP, typically during such bathing festivals, local vehicles do not operate, but currently, all types of transport are active. This year, unlike 2019, see such large crowds even on regular days. Expect no decline in pilgrims over the next few days.
Meanwhile, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Northern Railway), Lucknow, Kuldeep Tiwari, reported, “With heavy crowds at the Prayagraj Sangam Station, passengers were urged to leave the station. As a result, we decided to close the Prayagraj Sangam Station for capacity.
Furthermore, North Central Railway implemented a unidirectional traffic flow at the Prayagraj Junction Station due to massive pilgrim influx until further notice.
Source: aajtak
North Central Railway’s Senior Public Relations Officer Amit Malviya stated that for passenger safety and convenience, entry is permitted only from the city side (towards platform number 1), with exit limited to the civil lines side.
Unreserved passengers will gain entry through designated passenger shelters. Ticketing arrangements like UTS counters and mobile ticketing will be available at these shelters. Reserved passengers will enter through Gate 5 and be granted platform access half an hour before train arrival.
