Massive 300-km traffic jam strands pilgrims heading to Maha Kumbh

Millions of pilgrims traveling to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival found themselves stranded for hours on Sunday, February 10, as an unprecedented traffic jam stretched across hundreds of kilometers.

The congestion, which netizens have dubbed the "world’s biggest traffic jam," extended up to 200-300 kilometers from Madhya Pradesh, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

Authorities Halt Traffic to Prevent Overcrowding

In response to the severe congestion, authorities in Madhya Pradesh took immediate action, stopping vehicles in multiple districts to prevent further overcrowding in Prayagraj. Hundreds of vehicles heading towards the city were halted a day earlier as a precautionary measure.

The Katni police issued an advisory, announcing that traffic toward Prayagraj would remain suspended until Monday, February 10. Meanwhile, law enforcement in Maihar directed vehicles to return towards Katni and Jabalpur for safety reasons. “It is impossible to move towards Prayagraj today as there is a traffic jam of 200-300 kilometers,” local police confirmed.

Pilgrims Stuck for Hours, Social Media Flooded with Videos

As thousands of vehicles remained stranded on highways, frustrated travelers turned to social media to document their ordeal. Several videos showcasing massive traffic jams across Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa districts went viral, with users expressing their distress.

Commuters reported that the jam stretched across 250 kilometers from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district.

Another posted on X, "Traffic jam of 15 km before Jabalpur… still 400 km to Prayagraj. Please check updates before heading to Mahakumbh!"

Traffic Jam of 15 KM before Jabalpur ...still 400 KM to prayagraj. Please read traffic situation before coming to Mahakumbh! #MahaKumbh2025 #mahakumbh #MahaKumbhMela2025 @myogiadityanath @yadavakhilesh #kumbhamela #kumbh pic.twitter.com/BKmJ3HNIx7

— Nitun Kumar (@dash_nitun) February 9, 2025

Eyewitnesses claimed that some vehicles had been stuck in traffic for nearly 48 hours, with travel times increasing drastically.

Authorities Working to Ease Congestion

Inspector General of Police (Rewa zone) Saket Prakash Pandey attributed the congestion to the overwhelming rush of pilgrims on February 9. However, he assured that the situation is being managed and is likely to improve in the coming days.

The Madhya Pradesh Police, in coordination with Prayagraj authorities, is actively regulating vehicle movement to restore normalcy.

With millions of devotees continuing to make their way to the Maha Kumbh, authorities are urging travelers to stay updated on traffic conditions before setting out for Prayagraj.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the traffic chaos in Prayagraj, stating that it has also caused a shortage of essential commodities in the city.

ALSO READ: Akhilesh Yadav slams UP Govt over Maha Kumbh traffic chaos, calls for better management