Prayagraj gridlock: Lakhs of pilgrims stranded in 300 km long ‘Maha’ traffic jam leading to Kumbh Mela

A massive traffic jam, stretching up to 300 kilometers, turned roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, into parking lots.

Lakhs of pilgrims eager to attend the world’s largest religious gathering found themselves stranded on Feb 9, hundreds of kilometers from the Kumbh site.

The unusual gridlock, called the "world's biggest traffic jam" by netizens, involved vehicles via Madhya Pradesh.

The incident prompted authorities to block traffic in many districts, keeping people stuck for hours.

A day before, authorities stopped hundreds of vehicles to prevent overcrowding.

Police in Katni announced that traffic would be blocked until Feb 10, while Maihar police advised passengers to return to Katni and Jabalpur.

Pilgrims were warned to seek safe shelter as police attempted to control the massive flow of traffic.

"It is impossible to move towards Prayagraj today as there is a traffic jam of 200-300 kilometres," the police said.

Numerous social media videos showing long lines of thousands of vehicles and trucks on the roads in the MP districts of Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa.

Eyewitnesses reported massive traffic congestion along a 250-kilometer stretch from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district.

Commuters turned to social media to complain about the traffic, with one user writing, "Traffic jam of 15 km before Jabalpur...still 400 km to Prayagraj." Please read the traffic status before coming to Mahakumbh!"

On Monday at 4:30 am, a person posted on X that they were caught in the world's largest traffic gridlock (15-20km) at Kumbh."Prayagraj is completely gridlocked."

“Moved ~5 kms in 5 hours; by this time I should have been in Lucknow. Atrocious traffic management; had to cancel my flight ticket and book another at double,” the post read.

Traffic congestion was caused by the Feb 9 rush, according to Saket Prakash Pandey, the Inspector General of Police in charge of the Rewa zone.

He predicted that things will improve in a few days.

According to Pandey, the MP Police have coordinated with the Prayagraj administration and are now permitting vehicles to move.

Vehicles were delayed in traffic jams for 48 hours, according to witnesses. "It is taking almost 10-12 hours to cover a 50-km distance," said an individual.

To avoid crowds at the MP-UP borders, police said they are stopping cars at various locations.

According to the Rewa district administration, there is a continuous strain of vehicles on the Rewa-Prayagraj route because the number of pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj is not declining.

According to a notice from the Rewa district office, cars were stopped there and nearby as the masses grew outside of Chakghat.

Many cars are crowding both sides of the highway leading to Prayagraj, according to an official.

Pratibha Pal, the district collector for Rewa, said that they are working with the Prayagraj government.

Heavy traffic on the roadway, she claimed, had caused traffic jams.

"Arrangements are being made for the safe stay, food, and water for people (stuck in traffic jams)," she added.

VD Sharma, the head of the MP BJP, asked party members to assist pilgrims traveling from their localities to Maha Kumbh.

"All the workers are requested to help the devotees going to Maha Kumbh through their areas in every possible way. Make arrangements for their food and accommodation if needed. Take special care that the devotees do not face any inconvenience. Let us play our role in this Maha Yagya," Sharma tweeted on X.

The 'Snan' or holy plunge at the Sangam, the meeting place of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, has attracted over 40 crore tourists from all over the country and outside during the Maha Kumbh fair, which began on Jan 13 and will end on Feb 26.