Maha Kumbh 2025: 300-km traffic jam, railway station shut; chaos leaves pilgrims stranded for hours in world's biggest traffic crisis | Watch Videos
PTC Web Desk: As millions of devotees continue to pour into Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the city is witnessing unprecedented traffic congestion, bringing movement to a grinding halt. The severe gridlock has paralysed roads leading to the Triveni Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—leaving thousands of pilgrims stranded for hours. To add to the chaos, the Prayagraj Sangam railway station has been shut until February 14 due to overwhelming crowds, further crippling transportation.
महाकुंभ के अवसर पर उप्र में वाहनों को टोल मुक्त किया जाना चाहिए, इससे यात्रा की बाधा भी कम होगी और जाम का संकट भी। जब फ़िल्मों को मनोरंजन कर मुक्त किया जा सकता है तो महाकुंभ के महापर्व पर गाड़ियों को कर मुक्त क्यों नहीं? pic.twitter.com/1ceISd8WNK
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 9, 2025
Traffic snarls stretch over 300 km
On Sunday, traffic jams as long as 300 km were reported from various routes leading to Prayagraj. Madhya Pradesh's Maihar police stated that it was "impossible to move towards Prayagraj as there is a traffic jam of 200-300 km." Major routes, including Nawabganj (30 km before Prayagraj), Gauhania (16 km before Rewa Road), and the Varanasi-Allahabad stretch, have witnessed vehicles crawling at a snail's pace.
Pilgrims travelling to take a holy dip at the Sangam on auspicious bathing days have been forced to abandon their vehicles and continue their journey on foot.
प्रयागराज महाकुंभ में फँसे करोड़ों श्रद्धालुओं के लिए तुरंत आपातकालीन व्यवस्था की जाए। हर तरफ़ से जाम में भूखे, प्यासे, बेहाल और थके तीर्थयात्रियों को मानवीय दृष्टि से देखा जाए। आम श्रद्धालु क्या इंसान नहीं है?
प्रयागराज में प्रवेश के लिए लखनऊ की तरफ़ 30 किमी पहले से ही नवाबगंज… pic.twitter.com/1JXmzgDEGI — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 9, 2025
Sangam Road sealed, trains overcrowded
Adding to the crisis, the police has barricaded Sangam Road for crowd control, causing massive vehicle pileups. The road connects to Civil Lines, and alternative routes, such as Shastri Bridge, are also witnessing bumper-to-bumper traffic. The situation has deteriorated to the point where even railway travel is proving impossible.
Due to the overwhelming number of passengers, the Prayagraj Sangam railway station has been closed until February 14. Passengers are facing extreme difficulty in exiting the station due to the heavy crowd outside.
The North Central Railway has implemented a one-way traffic system at Prayagraj Junction station. Entry is allowed only from the city side (platform no.-1), while exits are permitted only from the Civil Lines side.
Akhilesh Yadav slams Yogi government
Amidst the worsening crisis, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on the Uttar Pradesh government for its failure in managing the Kumbh crowds. "The hungry, thirsty, distressed, and exhausted pilgrims stuck in traffic jams should be treated with a humane perspective. Are common devotees not human beings?" he tweeted.
Akhilesh Yadav demanded that vehicles be made toll-free across Uttar Pradesh to ease travel difficulties. "When films can be made entertainment tax-free, why not make vehicles toll-free during Maha Kumbh?" he asked.
He flayed UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his ministers for being missing in action.
- With inputs from agencies
