BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav requested pilgrims heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh to wait a few days more so that the current situation will improve. This comes after massive traffic jams in several districts of the state.
Over the past few days, roads in Jabalpur, Seoni, Katni, Maihar, Satna, and Rewa have been packed with vehicles carrying devotees to the Maha Kumbh. Speaking to the media on Monday, February 10, 2025, Yadav said, "There is a lot of traffic pressure near Prayagraj, especially in areas around Rewa. Many people are coming from different states. I request everyone to delay their journey for a couple of days."
He said that due to overcrowding, managing the Maha Kumbh has become challenging. The Madhya Pradesh government is in constant touch with authorities in Prayagraj to handle the situation. "We are lucky to have so many pilgrims traveling for the Maha Kumbh, but their safety is our top priority," Yadav added. He assured that food, water, and other essential services have been arranged along the travel routes, with help from social organizations.
The Chief Minister also advised pilgrims to check Google Maps before starting their journey. But if there are traffic issues, please stop at a safe place and wait," he urged.
World’s Biggest Traffic Jam: Pilgrims Stuck for Hours on Their Way to Maha Kumbh
Ahead of President Murmus's reaching, on Sunday a massive traffic jam, stretching 200-300 km, caused chaos in Madhya Pradesh as thousands of pilgrims traveled to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The gridlock brought vehicles to a complete stop, leaving people stranded for hours.
The heavy rush of devotees also created problems in Prayagraj. By 6 p.m. on Sunday, more than 1.42 crore people had taken a holy dip in the Ganga and Sangam. In total, over 42 crore pilgrims have already bathed at the fair. The huge crowd led to overcrowding, forcing railway officials to shut down Prayagraj Sangam railway station.
Maha Kumbh, which started on January 13, is the world’s largest religious gathering which will go on Mahashivratri on February 26. So far, more than 44 crore devotees have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. On February 10 alone, by 10 am, about 63 lakh people had performed the holy bath. With over 1.44 crore devotees visiting daily, managing the crowd has become a big challenge for authorities.