Maha Kumbh 2025: Prayagraj In response to massive traffic congestion that left thousands of devotees stranded for up to 48 hours in 300-kilometer-long jams en route to Prayagraj, authorities have declared the entire Maha Kumbh Mela area a No Vehicle Zone. This measure aims to ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims, especially with the significant influx expected during Maghi Purnima on February 12, 2025.
Traffic Advisory Details:
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No Vehicle Zone Implementation: Starting from 4:00 AM on February 11, 2025, the entire Mela area will be restricted to vehicular traffic, with exceptions only for essential and emergency services.
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Parking Arrangements: Devotees arriving by vehicle are required to park in designated lots corresponding to their entry routes after 4:00 AM on February 11. Over 100 parking facilities have been prepared to accommodate more than 500,000 vehicles.
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City-Wide Restrictions: To facilitate the movement and bathing rituals of devotees, Prayagraj city will enforce the No Vehicle Zone from 5:00 PM on February 11. Essential and emergency services are exempt from this rule.
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Duration of Restrictions: These traffic measures will remain in effect until the safe departure of devotees from the Mela area on February 12.
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Kalpvasi Vehicles: The entry and exit restrictions also apply to vehicles of ‘Kalpvasi’ participants.
These steps come after reports of severe traffic jams, with some pilgrims taking 10-12 hours to cover just 50 kilometers.
Uttar Pradesh Police Chief Prashant Kumar emphasized that the delays were due to the unprecedented number of attendees, marking the largest congregation in history. Over 400 million pilgrims have already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam, with millions more arriving daily.
Authorities have also announced the deployment of electric buses and FASTag-enabled parking solutions to manage the anticipated influx of approximately 2.5 million vehicles during the event.
