Mahakumbh, 10 February 2025: A massive traffic jam stretching up to 300 kilometers left lakhs of pilgrims stranded for hours on their way to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, turning highways into an impassable gridlock. Vehicles remained stuck across multiple districts on Sunday and Monday, with some devotees unable to reach the world’s largest religious gathering.
The congestion, which social media users dubbed the “world’s biggest traffic jam,” prompted police to halt traffic in several districts of Madhya Pradesh to prevent further overcrowding in Uttar Pradesh. Eyewitnesses reported that the jam extended nearly 250 kilometers from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district. Several videos circulating online showed long lines of vehicles clogging roads across Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa.
Taking aim at the Uttar Pradesh government, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the administration’s handling of the event, urging authorities to address the plight of stranded devotees. “The hungry, thirsty, distressed, and exhausted pilgrims stuck in traffic jams should be looked at with a humane perspective. Are common devotees not human beings?” Yadav wrote on X.
He also called for toll-free travel across Uttar Pradesh during the Maha Kumbh. “On this occasion, vehicles should be made toll-free in UP. This will ease travel problems and reduce traffic jams. When films can be made entertainment tax-free, why not exempt vehicles from tolls for this religious event?” he stated.
Yadav cited major choke points, including Nawabganj, 30 km from Prayagraj on the Lucknow route, Gauhania, 16 km before Rewa Road, and a traffic snarl stretching 12-15 km towards Varanasi. He also pointed to overcrowding in trains, with passengers reportedly squeezing into engines to reach their destination. “Normal life has become difficult,” he added.
In response to the worsening situation, authorities in Madhya Pradesh stopped vehicular movement across multiple districts. Police in Katni announced via loudspeakers that traffic would remain halted until Monday, while officers in Maihar redirected vehicles back toward Katni and Jabalpur.
Madhya Pradesh BJP president V.D. Sharma urged party workers to assist stranded pilgrims. “All workers are requested to help devotees heading to Maha Kumbh in every possible way. Arrange food and shelter if needed. Ensure that no devotee faces inconvenience. Let us play our role in this Maha Yagya,” he posted on X.
Frustrated pilgrims also voiced their grievances over the severe delays. Travelers from Faridabad reported that their journey, which should have been routine, took over 24 hours to reach Prayagraj. A Jaipur family described their ordeal of being stuck for hours just to cover a four-kilometer stretch.
With the Maha Kumbh continuing until February 26, authorities face increasing pressure to ease traffic congestion and ensure smoother movement for the remaining weeks of the grand religious gathering.
