A massive traffic jam, stretching up to 300 kilometers, turned the roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj into parking lots. Lakhs of pilgrims eager to attend the world’s largest religious gathering found themselves stranded in their vehicles on Sunday, hundreds of kilometers away from the fair site.

'World’s Biggest Traffic Jam' Causes Chaos

The unprecedented congestion, which netizens dubbed the "world's biggest traffic jam," reportedly extended up to 200-300 kilometers. Vehicles of pilgrims traveling via Madhya Pradesh were caught in the gridlock, prompting the police to halt traffic in several districts. This left thousands of people stranded on roads for hours.

Railway Station Closure to Ease Congestion

In response to the heavy traffic, the Prayagraj District Administration announced the closure of the Raj Sangam railway station from 1:30 pm on February 9 to midnight on February 14. Authorities assured the public that regular and special trains would continue to operate from eight other stations in the Mahakumbh area, including Prayagraj Chheoki, Naini, and Prayagraj Junction.

Madhya Pradesh Stops Vehicles to Prevent Overcrowding

A day earlier, hundreds of vehicles traveling to Prayagraj were halted in Madhya Pradesh due to the overwhelming traffic. To avoid overcrowding, police in various districts directed people to find safe shelters.

In Katni district, police announced that traffic would remain halted until Monday, while Maihar Police redirected vehicles back toward Katni and Jabalpur. “It is impossible to move towards Prayagraj today as there is a traffic jam of 200-300 kilometers,” police officials were quoted as saying.

Social Media Flooded with Traffic Jam Complaints

Several videos on social media showed thousands of cars and trucks stuck on highways in Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa districts.

Eyewitnesses reported a 250-km traffic jam stretching from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district. Frustrated commuters took to social media to share their experiences. One user posted, “Traffic Jam of 15 KM before Jabalpur... still 400 KM to Prayagraj. Please check traffic updates before heading to Mahakumbh!”

Another traveler wrote, “Caught in probably the biggest traffic jam (15-20km) in the world at Kumbh… Prayagraj is completely gridlocked.”

Authorities Struggle to Manage the Crisis

Inspector General of Police (Rewa zone) Saket Prakash Pandey acknowledged the Sunday rush as the cause of the massive congestion. He assured the public that the situation would likely improve in the coming days.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses claimed that vehicles were stuck in traffic for over 48 hours, with some taking 10-12 hours to cover just 50 kilometers.

To prevent crowding at the MP-UP border, authorities have been stopping vehicles at various checkpoints. Despite these measures, the number of pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj remains high, adding constant pressure on the Rewa-Prayagraj route.

Efforts to Assist Stranded Pilgrims

Rewa District Collector Pratibha Pal stated that the administration is coordinating with Prayagraj officials to manage the crisis. She assured that arrangements for food, water, and temporary shelter are being made for those stuck in traffic.

Meanwhile, MP BJP President VD Sharma urged party workers to assist pilgrims in their areas. “All workers are requested to help devotees going to Maha Kumbh. Arrange food and shelter if needed. Ensure that pilgrims do not face any inconvenience,” Sharma tweeted.

Maha Kumbh Mela Attracts Millions of Devotees

The Maha Kumbh fair, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has already drawn over 40 crore visitors from across India and abroad. Pilgrims gather at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers to take the sacred ‘Snan’ (holy dip), believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual salvation.