A staggering traffic jam, extending up to 300 kilometers, turned roads leading to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj into massive parking lots as lakhs of devotees attempted to reach the Maha Kumbh Mela. The gridlock, which many online users dubbed the “world’s biggest traffic jam,” left thousands stranded in their vehicles for hours, some even hundreds of kilometers away from the fairground.

Vehicles Halted Across Madhya Pradesh

The congestion severely affected routes passing through Madhya Pradesh, forcing authorities to halt traffic in multiple districts. Police in Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa stopped vehicles to prevent overcrowding and advised travelers to seek shelter until the situation improved. Eyewitnesses reported that vehicles were at a standstill for nearly 48 hours, with commuters taking 10-12 hours to cover just 50 kilometers.

Authorities Take Measures to Manage Crisis

In response to the overwhelming rush, Madhya Pradesh Police coordinated with the Prayagraj administration to ease traffic flow. Inspector General of Police (Rewa Zone), Saket Prakash Pandey, stated that the situation would stabilize in a few days. Meanwhile, Rewa district officials arranged for food, water, and shelter for stranded pilgrims.

We are stuck again, and have been in front of this junction for the last 45 mins or so.

The vehicles on the other road keep on moving.

Futile to trust Google maps with any kind of traffic prediction.

The best way is to embrace this chaos as part of the whole Kumbh experience pic.twitter.com/L54vgeNhmB

— Bhaskar Sarma🗿 (@bhas) February 8, 2025

Social Media Users React to Chaos

Frustrated travelers took to social media to share their ordeal. One user posted, “Traffic jam of 15 KM before Jabalpur… still 400 KM to Prayagraj. Check traffic updates before heading to Maha Kumbh!” Another shared, “Moved ~5 KM in 5 hours. Had to cancel my flight and rebook at double the price. Horrible traffic management!”

Political and Community Support

Amid the crisis, Madhya Pradesh BJP President VD Sharma urged party workers to assist pilgrims by providing food and accommodation. “All workers should help devotees in every possible way and ensure they do not face difficulties during this sacred journey,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Maha Kumbh Mela Draws Record-Breaking Crowds

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has already attracted over 40 crore visitors from across India and abroad. The influx of devotees participating in the holy ‘Snan’ at the Sangam—where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet—has led to unprecedented logistical challenges. Authorities continue working round the clock to manage the overwhelming turnout and ensure a smoother pilgrimage experience.