A huge traffic jam stretching up to 300 kilometers turned the roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, into parking lots on Sunday. Lakhs of pilgrims, eager to attend the world's largest religious gathering, found themselves stuck in their vehicles for hours and even days.

The traffic congestion, which many people on social media called the "world's biggest traffic jam," was reported to have spread across 200-300 kilometers. It involved vehicles of devotees traveling to the Maha Kumbh via Madhya Pradesh. Due to the heavy congestion, the Madhya Pradesh police decided to stop traffic in various districts to manage the situation. However, this left thousands of people stranded on the roads for hours.

Vehicles stopped to avoid overcrowding

One day before the massive traffic jam, officials in Madhya Pradesh had already stopped many vehicles going to Prayagraj. A report from news agency PTI said this was done to avoid overcrowding and keep people safe.

In Katni district, police vehicles made announcements, informing travelers that no traffic would be allowed to move until Monday. In Maihar, police told drivers to turn back toward Katni and Jabalpur and wait there instead of continuing their journey.

"It is impossible to move towards Prayagraj today, as there is a traffic jam of 200-300 kilometres," the PTI report quoted police as saying.

Several videos shared on social media showed endless rows of cars and trucks stuck in traffic across districts like Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.

‘Probably the biggest traffic jam in the world’

Eyewitnesses reported that the traffic jam stretched across a 250-km area, from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district. Many travellers took to social media to express their frustration and warn others about the situation.

One user posted on social media, “Traffic jam of 15 km before Jabalpur ... still 400 km to Prayagraj. Please read the traffic situation before coming to Mahakumbh!”

Another traveller, who was stuck in the jam at around 4:30 am on Monday, wrote, “Caught in probably the biggest traffic jam (15-20 km) in the world at Kumbh… Prayagraj is completely gridlocked.”

“Moved ~5 kms in 5 hours; by this time I should have been in Lucknow. ‘Atrocious traffic management. I had to cancel my flight ticket and book another at double,” another frustrated commuter posted.

Authorities trying to manage the situation

Saket Prakash Pandey, the Inspector General of Police for the Rewa zone, said that the huge crowd on Sunday caused the massive traffic jam. He assured people that the situation would get better in a few days.

He also said that the Madhya Pradesh police are working with the Prayagraj administration to allow vehicles to move in an organised way.

However, people stuck in traffic said they had been waiting for almost 48 hours. One traveller mentioned that it was taking 10-12 hours to travel just 50 kilometres.

To control the crowd, police have been stopping vehicles at different points to avoid too many cars gathering at the MP-UP border. But even with these measures, more and more vehicles keep coming, making the traffic problem worse.

Arrangements for stranded pilgrims

The Rewa district administration said that thousands of vehicles are stuck on both sides of the highway leading to Prayagraj. District Collector Pratibha Pal said they are working with officials in Prayagraj to manage the situation.

She also assured that food, water, and safe places to stay are being arranged for people stuck in the traffic jam.

Meanwhile, MP BJP president VD Sharma asked party workers to help the stranded pilgrims in any way they can.

“All the workers are requested to help the devotees going to Maha Kumbh through their areas in every possible way. Make arrangements for their food and accommodation if needed. Take special care that the devotees do not face any inconvenience. Let us play our role in this Maha Yagya,” Sharma wrote on X.

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