Maha Kumbh traffic woes: ‘No vehicle zone’ declared ahead of Maghi Purnima Snan after massive jam

Prayagraj: Plans for the ‘Maghi Purnima Snan’, scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, have been put in place, including the entire Maha Kumbh area being declared a ‘no vehicle zone’, a day after people were stranded in traffic jams for more than 30 hours at several places.

Thousands of devotees heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh were stuck in massive traffic jams reportedly spanning 300 kilometres on Monday ahead of Maghi Purnima. The police were seen asking people to turn back if they could, suggesting the gravity of the matter.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar told news agency PTI that delays in traffic movement are inevitable not due to mismanagement, but due to the sheer number of devotees during Maha Kumbh as it is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history.

The top cop informed that over 40 crore devotees have already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam since the Maha Kumbh began on January 13, with millions still arriving each day.

The Maha Kumbh district administration has prepared a traffic plan expecting more devotees to turn up for the ‘Maghi Purnima Snan’.

The entire mela area has been declared a no vehicle zone effective from February 11 at 4 am to ensure the smooth bathing of devotees. Essential and emergency services will be allowed.
No vehicle zone will also be implemented in Prayagraj city after 5 pm on February 11. Essential and emergency services will be exempted.
Vehicles of devotees coming from outside to Prayagraj city for the Maha Kumbh bath will be parked in the parking lots of the respective routes after 4am on February 11. Vehicles of essential and emergency services will be exempted from this arrangement.
The traffic arrangements stated in the advisory will remain in effect until the smooth evacuation of devotees from the Mela area on February 12.
The restrictions on the entry and exit of vehicles in Prayagraj city and the mela area will also apply to the vehicles of ‘Kalpvasi’.