KKN Gurugram Desk | The Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela 2025 continues to draw millions of devotees from across India and beyond, with the crowd steadily increasing as the event progresses. The festival, which began on January 13, 2025, is expected to see its peak during the final days. As a result, traffic congestion in and around the city has worsened significantly, creating challenging conditions for both travelers and the local administration.

Traffic Jam at Key Locations

The influx of devotees has led to major traffic jams at several key locations within Prayagraj. Major areas like Naini Bridge, Fafamau, and Jhunsi are seeing some of the most severe bottlenecks. Traffic on these routes is backed up for miles, leaving many vehicles stuck for long periods.

The district authorities have set up roadblocks at the borders of Prayagraj to control the entry of vehicles from neighboring districts. This has resulted in a traffic pile-up at places such as Andawan, Naini, Navabganj, and Hathigan, among others. These regions are seeing the heaviest congestion due to the large number of devotees trying to enter the city.

Increased Foot Traffic to the Kumbh Mela

With road traffic paralyzed in many parts of the city, thousands of pilgrims are choosing to walk to the Sangam for the ritualistic holy dip. The Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati river, is the focal point of the Mahakumbh. Despite the inconvenience of heavy traffic, many devotees prefer to walk, as it is quicker compared to waiting in the long vehicle queues.

The number of foot pilgrims arriving on foot is steadily increasing. The religious fervor associated with the Mahakumbh has prompted people to brave the long walks from the outskirts of the city to the banks of the Sangam.

Train Services Impacted

Due to the growing crowd at the Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station, train services have been severely impacted. To manage the situation and ensure the safety of passengers, the authorities have announced that the station will remain closed for services until February 28, 2025. This is an effort to control the growing number of passengers and to manage the crowds effectively.

The closure of the station is causing major disruptions to train travel, with passengers being forced to seek alternative means of transport. The situation at stations across the region is chaotic, as many trains have been delayed or canceled due to the large crowds.

Security and Crowd Management

In response to the heavy traffic and crowds, security measures have been significantly enhanced. A large number of personnel from CRPF, RPF, GRP, and PAC are stationed throughout Prayagraj to manage the crowd. These forces are deployed at crucial points such as railway platforms, the Passenger Hall, and Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) to ensure the safety of the devotees.

At Prayagraj Sangam, the RPF (Railway Protection Force) has been especially vigilant. The authorities are maintaining strict security to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure smooth operations for the pilgrims coming for the holy dip.

Special Trains to Meet Demand

To handle the surge in pilgrim numbers, the Indian Railways has introduced 300 special trains to ferry people to and from Prayagraj. These trains have been specifically designated for the Mahakumbh Mela and are expected to run through the event’s duration to accommodate the influx of devotees. However, even with the added trains, train delays and crowd-related problems persist at major stations.

While the special trains are designed to ease transportation, the overall demand for travel to Prayagraj still far outweighs the available resources. Many trains are still experiencing significant delays, further contributing to the chaos at the stations.

Pilgrims Continue to Arrive for Holy Dips

As of February 17, 2025, over 53 crore (530 million) devotees have already participated in the sacred dip at the Sangam. The crowd is expected to grow even larger, with several important dates still remaining, including the Mahashivaratri on February 26, 2025. This day marks the final significant bathing day of the Mahakumbh Mela, and it is expected to draw an even greater number of pilgrims.

The Maha Kumbh is a spiritual event that attracts millions of people for ritual purification in the holy rivers. The event runs from January 13 to February 26, 2025, and is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Pilgrims from across India, including places as far as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and even abroad, are coming to Prayagraj to take part in this historic event.

Measures to Address Congestion and Crowds

The Prayagraj administration is working on various solutions to ease the traffic congestion and manage the growing crowd. These include more efficient traffic management systems, better public transportation options, and additional provisions for parking spaces.

Local authorities are working to ensure that there are ample facilities for pilgrims to rest, hydrate, and refresh themselves during their journey to and from the Sangam. In addition, volunteers are on hand to assist with crowd management and provide support for pilgrims.

The Last Leg of Mahakumbh

As the Mahakumbh nears its end, the traffic situation is expected to reach its peak. The final days of the event are expected to see the highest number of pilgrims arriving for the last dip at the Sangam.

For the administration, this presents a major challenge in ensuring that the crowd is managed safely while still allowing for the free movement of people. Authorities are also working closely with the Indian Railways and local police to ensure that pilgrims are safely transported and that the risk of any potential accidents is minimized.

The Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela 2025 is a massive religious event that draws millions of devotees each year. However, with the growing crowds, the city is facing significant challenges, particularly concerning traffic congestion, train delays, and crowd management. Despite these issues, the faith of the pilgrims and the efforts of the local administration and security forces continue to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly.

For now, devotees continue to flock to Prayagraj, walking long distances and navigating through difficult traffic conditions to reach the Sangam for their holy dip. As the Mahakumbh approaches its grand finale, authorities will continue to monitor and address the situation to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.

The Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela remains an awe-inspiring event, with millions coming together for spiritual fulfillment. The administration’s efforts to manage the traffic jams, enhance security, and ensure smooth transportation will be crucial for the remaining days of this massive religious festival.