Prayagraj: The traffic system in Prayagraj has completely collapsed due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, leaving devotees struggling in long traffic jams across the city and the fair area. Thousands of vehicles are stuck for hours, and people are unable to move freely.
According to Maha Kumbh administration, by Sunday, February 9, over 41.14 crore people had taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. On Sunday alone, 1.42 crore people took the dip. The crowd is increasing continuously, making it difficult for the administration to control the situation.
Even though paramilitary forces have been deployed at several locations, the rush of devotees remains uncontrolled. Most of the city’s flyovers are under security forces’ control, yet vehicles are not moving an inch in many places.
Devotees stuck for hours in jams
Thousands of devotees have been facing major difficulties due to heavy traffic jams in and around the Maha Kumbh area.
Samarjit Shakya, who came from Etawah with his family, shared that it took him seven hours to reach the Maha Kumbh area from the city limits. He has been stuck inside Prayagraj for hours while trying to return home.
Many other devotees are facing the same problem, and the police deployed at traffic intersections are not providing proper assistance. The situation is even worse because many pontoon bridges in the fair area have been closed, restricting the movement of people.
Poor traffic management leaves devotees helpless
People are questioning the traffic plan of the Maha Kumbh administration, as the roads leading to Prayagraj from different directions are completely jammed.
- From Kanpur: The traffic jam starts from Kaushambi district itself, and vehicles are moving very slowly.
- From Varanasi: There is a long traffic jam even before reaching the parking areas outside the city.
- From Lucknow: Vehicles are getting stuck 20 km before reaching the Maha Kumbh area. Even if people manage to park their cars, they have to walk long distances to reach the holy site.
- From Rewa: The worst traffic situation is on this route, where the traffic jam stretches for 35 km before the city.
Railway stations overcrowded, Prayagraj Sangam station closed
Maha Kumbh fair crowd continues to increase, and even before the rush from Mauni Amavasya has settled, people have started arriving for Maghi Purnima on February 12. Due to this, Prayagraj’s railway system has been severely affected. Trains arriving at or passing through Prayagraj are extremely overcrowded, making it difficult to manage the rush of people.
To control the situation, the railways closed Prayagraj Sangam station with immediate effect. Northeast Railway issued a notification stating that trains will now be operated only from Prayagraj Junction until the situation becomes normal.
Trains diverted to Prayag station
Due to the station closure, more than half a dozen trains scheduled to arrive at Prayagraj Sangam station have been diverted to Prayag station. These include:
- 14232 Basti–Prayagraj Sangam Manwar Sangam Express (operating from Basti on February 10)
- 14234 Mankapur–Prayagraj Sangam Saryu Express (operating from Mankapur on February 10)
- 65117 Ghazipur City–Prayagraj Sangam MEMU Express (operating from Ghazipur City on February 10)
- 14231 Prayagraj Sangam–Basti Manwar Sangam Express
- 14233 Prayagraj Sangam–Mankapur Saryu Express
- 65118 Prayagraj Sangam–Ghazipur City MEMU Express
All of these trains will now terminate at Prayag station instead of Prayagraj Sangam station.
Increasing rush for Maghi Purnima
Maghi Purnima is scheduled for February 12, but devotees have already started arriving in large numbers for the holy bath. Many people had postponed their Maha Kumbh visit due to the stampede-like situation on Mauni Amavasya, and now they are coming for Maghi Purnima instead.
As a result, the number of devotees in Prayagraj is expected to increase further, putting more pressure on the city’s traffic system, railways, and overall management.
