World's Longest Traffic Jam? 300km Snarl Leaves Drivers Stranded

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and will continue until February 26, has drawn millions of devotees from across the country. As the world’s largest religious gathering, the administration has implemented special measures to ensure smooth movement and security. However, the sheer number of visitors has led to massive traffic congestion, creating what some are calling the world’s longest traffic jam.

Unprecedented Traffic Chaos

According to reports, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are attempting to reach the Kumbh Mela site via road, rail, and air, overwhelming all transportation routes. The roads leading to Prayagraj have become completely gridlocked, with reports suggesting a traffic jam stretching over 300 km.

Eyewitnesses described the congestion as an endless sea of vehicles, with people stuck for over 48 hours in some areas. The situation is particularly severe on major highways from Madhya Pradesh (MP) to Uttar Pradesh (UP), with thousands of cars, buses, and trucks stranded.

Traffic Blockades and Police Interventions

As a result of the congestion, police in multiple districts were forced to stop vehicular movement on Sunday, February 9. Authorities in Katni, Maihar, and Rewa districts (Madhya Pradesh) halted traffic heading toward Prayagraj to prevent further crowding.

Katni Police announced that traffic was stopped until Monday, February 10.
Maihar Police directed vehicles to return to Katni and Jabalpur and seek shelter.
Rewa District Administration reported that despite measures, the influx of devotees has not reduced, causing continuous pressure on the Rewa-Prayagraj route.
At Chakghat (MP-UP border), vehicles were completely halted to control the rush.

Authorities have confirmed that in some areas, it took over 10-12 hours to travel just 50 km due to the congestion.

Social Media Footage Shows Scale of Traffic Crisis

Several viral videos on social media depict endless queues of vehicles in Katni, Maihar, and Rewa districts. Pilgrims have been stuck for hours, with many struggling to find food, water, and shelter.

Official Response and Relief Measures

Rewa District Collector, Pratibha Pal, stated that they are coordinating with Prayagraj authorities to manage the crisis.
Officials have arranged for food, water, and temporary shelters for stranded pilgrims.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging due to the non-stop arrival of new vehicles heading toward Prayagraj.

Record-Breaking Pilgrimage Numbers

So far, over 42 crore devotees have participated in the Kumbh Mela, with more than 1.42 crore taking a holy dip in the Ganga and Sangam by 6 PM on February 9, according to fair administration data.

As the Maha Kumbh continues, authorities are urging pilgrims to plan their travel carefully and stay updated on road conditions before setting out.

This unprecedented traffic situation highlights the massive scale of the Kumbh Mela, making it one of the most logistically challenging events in the world.