Maha Kumbh Pilgrims Stuck in Hours-Long Traffic; Social Media Users Call it 'World's Biggest Jam'

Uttar Pradesh :The roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, were transformed into sprawling parking lots as lakhs of pilgrims found themselves stuck in what social media users are calling the “world’s biggest traffic jam.” The congestion, which extended 200-300 kilometers, primarily affected commuters traveling from Madhya Pradesh, halting traffic for hours on Sunday.

With the festival attracting millions, long queues of vehicles were reported on roads across districts such as Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. Traffic jams spanned over 250 kilometers, leading to massive delays, with some travelers even forced to stop hundreds of kilometers away from the fair site.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as "unbelievable," with thousands of cars and trucks struggling to move. “Traffic Jam of 15 KM before Jabalpur... still 400 KM to Prayagraj,” one commuter posted on social media, urging others to reconsider travel plans.

To alleviate the overcrowding, authorities in Madhya Pradesh halted vehicular traffic across multiple districts. Police vehicles in Katni and Maihar districts made announcements for travelers to seek shelter, while urging them to return to nearby towns to avoid further gridlock.

In a bid to control the chaos, the Prayagraj District Administration has announced the temporary closure of the Raj Sangam railway station, with other train stations in the area continuing operations to support pilgrim movement.

With the massive gathering set to continue until February 14, commuters and officials are urging patience as they navigate the challenging conditions caused by the historic influx of pilgrims to the sacred event.