Mahakumbh rush triggers mega jams on Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border | Bhopal News
BHOPAL: Frequent jams on the MP-UP border have been taking a toll on Mahakumbh-bound devotees. Thousands were stranded in a 10km bumper-to-bumper jam at the Rewa border, and in Jabalpur and Satna for a second consecutive day on Monday.
There was a 35km jam at the border after the stampede in Kumbh, and the road mess hasn’t eased. CM Mohan Yadav has had to step in and order officials to ensure pilgrims aren’t inconvenienced.
The congestion is due to a rush to take a dip on ‘Magh Poornima’, an auspicious day, that falls on Feb 12. The CM has appealed to Mahakumbh devotees to avoid taking this route for a day or two until the situation normalises. The massive influx of pilgrims, not only from MP but also other states, is presenting challenges, he added. In the evening, he held a virtual meeting with officials of the border districts of Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Mauganj and Maihar to find ways to end the border chaos.
The congestion extended for 40-50 km on the UP side and 20-25 km on the Madhya Pradesh side at Chakghat in Rewa district on Sunday.
Long jams at Jabalpur, Katni, Satna & Seoni too
Neighbouring districts such as Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, and Seoni also saw long tailbacks on Sunday, which began easing out late Monday afternoon.
Even then, the jams stretched several kilometres in the evening on the border as well as in bordering districts. “There was a huge traffic jam. Around 200 personnel from district police and an additional 160 personnel from police headquarters were deployed. We have divided the Rewa route into five sectors, the longest one being the 15km from Chakghat to Sohagi. Additional SPs are supervising things there. One team is in the city as well to ensure there is no traffic jam here. Food and shelter have been arranged at several places by the administration and locals as well,” Rewa SP Vivek Singh told TOI. “Our teams are on the road and keeping an eye,” he added. Arrangements have also been made in neighbouring districts. In Satna’s Bela area and in Maihar, police and administration have arranged for shelter and food for pilgrims. So too in Jabalpur.
Appeals for help cut party lines: The state presidents of both ruling BJP, VD Sharma, and the Congress party, Jitu Patwari, asked workers to hit the ground and help the lakhs of people stranded for hours with food and drink.
State BJP president and MP from Khajuraho constituency VD Sharma sent an appeal to party workers. He said, “Arrange for their food and accommodation if needed.” State Congress president Jitu Patwari asked party workers to help the devotees going to Prayagraj from various routes of MP in every possible way, save them from traffic jam and solve their other problems.
