New Delhi: The capital of Bihar, Patna, on Friday witnessed unprecedented traffic congestion across the city after massive influx of devotees on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima. Millions of people flocked to the banks of river Ganga to take a holy dip, resulting in the congestion.
Key roads, including the Patna-Digha Elevated Road, saw vehicles crawling at a snail’s pace. The overwhelming crowd brought the administration’s traffic management plans to a standstill. Many drivers resorted to driving on the wrong side of the road to escape the jam, worsening the situation at key intersections.
#Patna आज #कार्तिकपूर्णिमा के मौक़े पर गंगा स्नान के लिए पटना के गंगा घाट पर उमरा जनसैलाब
भीड़ के चलते प्रशासन द्वारा किए गए इंतजाम ध्वस्त
पटना में दीघा से लेकर सभी स्थानों पर लगभग हज़ारो गाड़ियां फसी
तीन-तीन घंटे से लोग जाम में फँसे सड़क पर लगी गाड़ियों की क़तार pic.twitter.com/x99kcjIGvq
— Utkarsh Singh (@utkarshs88) November 15, 2024
Despite the traffic police issuing advisories in advance, the sheer volume of vehicles and pedestrians left the authorities helpless. The congestion was particularly severe for those traveling towards Chhapra and Sonepur, as well as for commuters heading to Ara via Digha.
Major routes blocked
Traffic jams extended from Gandhi Maidan to the NIT Ghat road, with vehicles lined up for kilometres. Roads connecting Station Road to Bailey Road were also heavily congested, and the stretch near Gardanibagh under the flyover saw vehicles stuck for hours. The situation was dire near the Digha and AIIMS bridges, where thousands of vehicles were immobilised.
Pilgrims from neighbouring districts, including Bhojpur, Buxar, Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj, who had come to bathe in the Ganges, faced difficulties returning home. Many were stranded, unable to reach their destinations in Hajipur, Sonepur, or even the riverbanks for the sacred rituals.
Devotional sites overcrowded
The city’s ghats were packed with devotees. Prominent locations such as Mastana Ghat, Triveni Ghat, and Kataiya Ghat echoed with chants in praise of the Ganges. Patna’s railway stations, including Patna Junction, Danapur, Patliputra, and Secretariat Halt, were also crowded with pilgrims arriving or leaving the city.
Despite prior preparations and changes to traffic routes, the morning rush overwhelmed all arrangements. The scenes at Digha, where thousands of vehicles were trapped, reflected the challenges faced by both the administration and the public.
