Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj and neighboring cities continue to witness massive congestion as thousands of vehicles head towards the ongoing Maha Kumbh, which has so far drawn over 50 crore devotees since its commencement last month.
Major traffic snarls were reported over the weekend in areas like Balsan, Bairhana, Sobtiabagh, and Darbhanga, where a usual 15-minute commute stretched to nearly three hours due to the heavy influx of pilgrims. The situation has also impacted routes in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa, which borders Prayagraj, with a surge in Maha Kumbh-bound vehicles in the past 24 hours.
Stampede in Delhi Sparks Security Alert in UP, Bihar
The rush comes a day after a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station killed 18 people when a sudden surge of passengers attempted to board trains to the Maha Kumbh. In response, railway stations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been placed on high alert to prevent similar incidents.
Akhilesh Yadav Calls for Maha Kumbh Extension
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has urged the Uttar Pradesh government to extend the Maha Kumbh’s duration, citing the overwhelming number of devotees still hoping to attend. He pointed out that previous editions of Maha Kumbh and Kumbh Mela lasted for 75 days, while the current schedule is shorter.
Maha Kumbh Footfall Crosses 50 Crore Mark
Dubbed the largest religious gathering in the world, the Maha Kumbh 2025 started on January 13 and will conclude on February 26.
More than 50 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip at Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. The Uttar Pradesh government emphasized the event’s scale, stating that the number of pilgrims exceeded the populations of countries like the United States, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Following this milestone, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the Maha Kumbh as a “living symbol of India’s spirituality, unity, equality, and harmony.”
Before the start of the event, authorities estimated the total footfall at 40 to 45 crore, but the turnout has already surpassed those expectations. With massive crowds still pouring in, concerns over traffic congestion and public safety remain high as the Maha Kumbh approaches its final phase.
Sources By Agencies
