The Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 is witnessing an extraordinary surge of devotees ahead of Maaghi Purnima, causing severe traffic congestion and logistical challenges. The streets of Prayagraj are packed with pilgrims who have arrived to take a holy dip at the Sangam, leading to road closures and long traffic jams lasting for hours. Since Sunday, the influx of devotees has been so overwhelming that it now takes several hours to cover a distance that would typically take just 20 minutes.

The situation has forced authorities to take stringent measures, with the government of Madhya Pradesh (MP) closing major highways leading to Prayagraj. Routes from Katni, Maihar, and Jabalpur to Rewa have been shut down, and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav has directed officials to assist stranded travelers.

Severe Traffic Congestion & Road Closures

On Sunday, the heavy footfall disrupted traffic movement for several kilometers, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to navigate through the city. Traffic ADCP Kuldeep Singh highlighted that the number of vehicles heading towards the Mahakumbh is significantly higher than expected, with crowd levels almost matching those seen on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Kumbh.

The parking facilities are under immense pressure, with designated spaces nearing their full capacity. Singh noted that while IERT and Baghada parking areas can hold around 4,000-5,000 vehicles, the larger Nehru Park and Bela Kachhar parking zones—designed to accommodate 20,000-25,000 vehicles—are also filling up rapidly. Despite the availability of large parking zones, vehicles remain lined up in long queues due to the constant influx of devotees.

Unlike usual snan (holy bath) days, local vehicles are also running in large numbers, further worsening the congestion. Singh also stated that compared to Kumbh 2019, this year’s footfall has been unprecedented, with massive crowds arriving even on regular days. He warned that the situation is unlikely to improve for the next few days, urging authorities to implement crowd management strategies effectively.

Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station Closed Due to Overcrowding

The overwhelming rush of devotees has not only affected road transport but has also impacted the railway network. Due to the uncontrollable crowd at Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station, authorities have decided to shut down operations temporarily. Now, passengers will need to travel to Prayagraj Junction instead to board their trains.

According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Northern Railway) Kuldeep Tiwari, the decision to close Prayagraj Sangam station was made after authorities noticed passengers struggling to exit the premises due to the massive crowd. Train services will resume once the situation is brought under control.

Railway authorities have urged travelers to follow instructions and cooperate with crowd management measures. To ease the situation, officials are also considering running additional trains to accommodate the rising number of pilgrims.

North Central Railway Implements Special Crowd Management Measures

Given the unprecedented turnout at Mahakumbh 2025, North Central Railway has introduced a single-direction movement system at Prayagraj Junction station to ensure smooth passenger flow. Amit Malviya, Senior Public Relations Officer (North Central Railway), stated that these measures will remain in place until further notice for the safety and convenience of devotees.

Key measures implemented at Prayagraj Junction include:

• Entry will be allowed only from the city side (Platform No. 1), while the exit will be from the Civil Lines side.
• Passengers with unreserved tickets will be provided access from designated passenger shelters.
• Unreserved ticket counters, ATVMs, and mobile ticketing services will be made available at shelters to ease congestion.
• Passengers with reserved tickets can enter through Gate No. 5 and will only be allowed on the platform 30 minutes before their train’s arrival.

These special arrangements aim to regulate crowd flow and prevent overcrowding, ensuring the safety of all devotees traveling to and from Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025.

Record-Breaking Footfall at Mahakumbh

According to data released by fair administration officials, more than 43.57 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip in the Sangam between January 13 and February 9. The numbers continue to surge, with no signs of slowing down as the city braces for the Maaghi Purnima snan, which is expected to draw millions more pilgrims in the coming days.

The Prayagraj administration is working tirelessly to manage the overwhelming crowd, but the sheer number of visitors is testing the limits of infrastructure, including parking zones, roads, and railway stations. Despite the challenges, devotees remain determined to participate in this sacred event, which holds immense religious significance in Hindu tradition.

Looking Ahead

As the Mahakumbh continues, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any mishaps and ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims. The administration is also considering additional measures such as deploying more security personnel, adding temporary shelters, and increasing train services to manage the influx effectively.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are PS Raj Steels, Chandan Healthcare, Ajax Engineering, Voler Car, Maxvolt Energy, Hexaware Technologies, L.K. Mehta, Shanmuga Hospital.

The Current active IPO are Eleganz Interiors, Readymix Construction, Solarium Green.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.

Join our Finance Saathi Telegram Channel for Regular Share Market, News & IPO Updates.