Don’t Travel To Prayagraj For Maha Kumbh Mela Before Reading This

If you’re planning a trip to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, make sure you’re up to date with the latest travel restrictions.

In fact, last weekend, a jam of up to 25 km was reported on routes leading to Prayagraj from Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur. According to reports, the queue of stranded vehicles stretched up to 300 km. On social media, travellers shared how they were stuck for hours on end and many had to return without reaching Prayagraj.

With millions of devotees expected to take a holy dip on Maghi Purnima tomorrow (February 12), one of the most significant bathing days, authorities have implemented strict traffic rules to ensure safety and smooth movement.

What Travellers Need To Know

This year’s Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13 and will run until February 26, has already seen an overwhelming turnout. As of February 10, over 44.74 crore devotees have visited Prayagraj, making it the world’s largest religious gathering.

Following a tragic stampede on January 29 that claimed at least 30 lives, officials have taken extra precautions.

Since 4 AM on Tuesday, the entire fairground has been declared a no-vehicle zone, and by 5 PM, this will extend to the entire city. If you’re arriving from outside Prayagraj, you’ll need to park at designated spots before heading towards the Sangam area. These measures will stay in place until devotees exit the fairgrounds. Emergency and essential services, however, are exempt from the restrictions.

What Officials Are Doing To Manage The Crowds

On Monday night, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the traffic and crowd management plans with police and civic officials. He emphasised utilizing the city’s 5 lakh-vehicle parking capacity to prevent congestion. Authorities are also ensuring that long queues of vehicles don’t form on major roads.

The stampede on Mauni Amavasya (January 29) has put safety concerns at the forefront. A judicial commission has been formed to investigate the cause, and families of those who lost their lives have been offered Rs 25 lakh compensation.