The Maha Kumbh area has been declared a No Vehicle Zone after devotees faced over 30-hour traffic jams. Essential and emergency services will be allowed. Thousands traveling to Prayagraj were stuck in jams reportedly stretching 300 km ahead of Maghi Purnima.
UP Police Chief Prashant Kumar stated that the delays were due to the massive gathering, not mismanagement, as Maha Kumbh witnesses one of the largest congregations in history.
Over 40 crore pilgrims have taken a sacred dip at the Sangam, with millions arriving daily, he added. The district administration has implemented a traffic plan to manage the expected surge on Maghi Purnima.
* To ensure the smooth bathing of devotees in the mela area, the entire mela area will be a No Vehicle zone from 4:00 AM on February 11, 2025, except for essential and emergency services.
* Vehicles of devotees coming from outside to Prayagraj city for the Mahakumbh bath will be parked in the parking lots of the respective routes after 4:00 AM on February 11. Vehicles of essential and emergency services will be exempted from this arrangement.
* In view of the smooth movement and bathing of devotees in Prayagraj City and the mela area, No Vehicle zZone will be implemented in Prayagraj City after 5:00 PM on February 11. Vehicles of essential and emergency services will be exempted from this arrangement.
* The above traffic arrangements will remain in effect until the smooth evacuation of devotees from the Mela area on February 12.
* The above restrictions on the entry and exit of vehicles in Prayagraj city and the mela area will also apply to the vehicles of ‘Kalpvasi’