Maha Kumbh 2025: UP DGP Prashant Kumar calls traffic congestion ‘unprecedented’, says no global precedent for scale of crowd management | India News
NEW DELHI: An unprecedented traffic jam stretching in Madhya Pradesh has brought vehicular movement to a halt as lakhs of devotees make their way to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. With over 40 crore visitors expected, authorities in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been struggling to manage the massive influx, leading to gridlocks spanning hours and, in some cases, even days.
DGP of Uttar Pradesh Police, Prashant Kumar, acknowledged the immense challenge posed by the sheer volume of pilgrims arriving for the event, stating that “no city, no administration, and no police force in the world has ever encountered” such a gathering before. Addressing concerns over traffic mismanagement, he insisted that delays were “inevitable” due to the scale of the event rather than any lapses in planning.
“Mahakumbh 2025 is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history. With over 40 crore pilgrims having already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam and millions arriving each day, managing the unprecedented movement of people and vehicles is a challenge that no city, no administration, and no police force in the world has ever encountered before. The sheer scale of this spiritual gathering has pushed the infrastructure of Prayagraj beyond its maximum capacity, making delays in traffic movement inevitable—not due to mismanagement, but due to the sheer volume of devotees,” Kumar said.
He lauded the efforts of the UP Police, stating that officers at all levels were working tirelessly to regulate traffic, assist devotees, and maintain law and order. “There is no global precedent for what UP Police is managing today. No city, country, or police force has ever had to regulate such an enormous gathering of people and vehicles in real time. This is not just crowd management; this is history in the making,” he said, adding that the event would serve as a case study for future generations.
The massive turnout has put immense strain on Prayagraj’s infrastructure, with reports of 25-km-long jams on major highways and temporary closures of key transit points such as the Prayagraj Sangam railway station. While opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, criticised the Yogi Adityanath-led government for the situation, BJP leaders urged party workers to assist stranded pilgrims.
Despite criticism, Kumar pointed to positive feedback from many attendees who have praised the administration’s handling of the event. “While criticism finds its space in media and social media, it is heartening to see numerous video testimonials from pilgrims, both common devotees and prominent personalities, who have appreciated the seamless organization, security, and assistance provided by UP Police and the administration,” he stated.
Recent videos from Prayagraj city and nearby highways suggest that traffic has started to ease, with police making continuous efforts to restore smooth movement. Kumar commended the police force for their perseverance, calling them “unsung heroes” of the Maha Kumbh Mela. “Today afternoon’s videos from Prayagraj city and the inter-district borders clearly show traffic moving almost smoothly once again, a reassuring sign of UP Police’s unyielding efforts,” he said.
With the Maha Kumbh Mela set to continue, authorities remain on high alert, implementing real-time traffic management measures to prevent further bottlenecks.
