Massive Traffic Jams Stretch 300 km as Devotees Flock to Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj

Thousands of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela are facing severe traffic congestion, with reports indicating that vehicles are stranded for up to 300 km on highways leading to the city. The gridlock, caused by the overwhelming influx of pilgrims, has brought movement to a standstill, leaving many travelers stuck for over 48 hours.

Traffic Chaos on Routes Leading to Prayagraj

Despite expectations of a decline in crowds after the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan, the opposite has happened, as thousands continue their journey to Prayagraj for the holy dip at Triveni Sangam. The unprecedented rush has overwhelmed roads, causing massive snarls, especially on highways connecting Madhya Pradesh, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur to the Kumbh city.

The situation has escalated to such an extent that authorities in Madhya Pradesh have temporarily halted vehicle movement on a key route to Prayagraj. "It is nearly impossible to reach Prayagraj today, as the traffic jam spans 200-300 kilometers," officials said.

Devotees Stuck for Hours, Slow Vehicle Movement

According to Inspector General of Police (Rewa Zone) Saket Prakash Pandey, the traffic congestion was triggered by the weekend rush and is expected to ease within a few days. "Vehicles are being allowed only in coordination with the Prayagraj administration to manage the flow," he added.

A stranded devotee described the severity of the jam, saying, "It is taking almost 10-12 hours to cover just 50 km."

Additionally, within Prayagraj city, a seven-kilometer-long jam has been reported near the main festival area.

Authorities Working to Ease Congestion

Authorities are implementing traffic management strategies to clear the bottlenecks, but with millions still heading to Prayagraj, relief may take time. Pilgrims are advised to plan their travel accordingly and stay updated on traffic advisories to avoid prolonged delays.