World’s Biggest Traffic Jam: 300-Km Long Snarl Halts Roads to Maha Kumbh, Vehicles Stranded

World’s Biggest Traffic Jam: Massive traffic snarled up to 200-300 kilometres on the roads leading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj is a major concern among people and authorities.

On Sunday, thousands of vehicles turned the roads leading to the world’s largest religious gathering effectively into parking lots, leaving hundreds of thousands of pilgrims trapped in their cars.

A day earlier, heavy traffic heading toward Prayagraj had already led to police stopping hundreds of vehicles in different areas of Madhya Pradesh to prevent overcrowding.

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The unprecedented congestion, which netizens called the "world's biggest traffic jam," reportedly extended up to 200-300 km involving vehicles of pilgrims headed for Maha Kumbh mela via Madhya Pradesh and prompted the police there to stop traffic in different districts on Sunday, leaving people stuck on roads for several hours.

Targeting the UP government, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav highlighted the extent of the congestion. He wrote, “Emergency arrangements should be made immediately for the millions of devotees stranded in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. The hungry, thirsty, distressed and tired pilgrims stuck in traffic jams from all sides should be looked at with a humane perspective. Are common devotees, not human beings?”

The former Chief Minister also demanded that vehicles be made toll-free across Uttar Pradesh during the Maha Kumbh to ease congestion and ensure a smoother journey for devotees.

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"On the occasion of Maha Kumbh, vehicles should be made toll-free in UP. This will reduce travel problems and also the issue of traffic jams. When films can be made entertainment tax-free, then why not exempt vehicles from tolls for this religious event?" he wrote.

He further highlighted specific trouble spots, mentioning major jams at Nawabganj, 30 km before entering Prayagraj from the Lucknow side, a bottleneck at Gauhania, 16 km before Rewa Road, and a traffic snarl extending 12-15 km towards Varanasi.

He also cited reports of overcrowding in trains, with passengers even squeezing into engines to reach their destination. "Normal life has become difficult," he added.

The Maha Kumbh fair, which commenced on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, has drawn over 40 crore visitors from across the country and abroad for the sacred 'Snan' or holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati.

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