The divine and grand Maha Kumbh has become a testament to the vastness of Sanatan culture, attracting millions of devotees from across India and the world. On Sunday alone, 1.49 crore pilgrims took a holy dip in the sacred waters. So far, the total number of visitors has reached a staggering 52.96 crore, and by Maha Shivratri, it is expected to cross 60 crore.
However, the overwhelming influx of devotees has created massive logistical challenges, particularly in railway transportation and traffic management across Prayagraj.
Railway Stations Overwhelmed by Devotee Influx
At around 9 pm on Sunday, an urgent announcement echoed through Prayagraj Junction, advising travelers to delay their entry onto the platforms due to extreme overcrowding. “Aap abhi na aayen, ek ghanta ke baad aaye,” warned the loudspeakers, reflecting the immense strain on railway services.
With lakhs of devotees flooding Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, railway stations across Uttar Pradesh have turned into chaotic hubs of congestion. The Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station, initially scheduled to remain closed until February 14, has now been shut down until February 26 due to the unmanageable crowds.
Passengers who usually board trains from this station have been redirected to Phaphamau Railway Station, causing a ripple effect on other transit hubs. However, rather than resolving the issue, this redirection has simply shifted the congestion elsewhere. “Is this a judicious decision? The crowd has simply moved to other stations like Jhunsi, Rambagh, and Phaphamau, which are on the outskirts of Prayagraj,” questioned Shushanto Kumar Sen, a passenger from Lucknow struggling to board his return train.
To manage the situation, authorities have ramped up security. Railway officials have strictly prohibited platform changes, prevented passengers from sitting on foot overbridges, and increased patrolling to clear congested areas. Surveillance has been tightened on staircases, while escalators and lifts have been shut down for safety reasons.
Traffic Gridlock as Devotees Rush to the Holy Sangam
The rush of devotees has not been limited to railway stations. On Sunday, the number of visitors surged as crowds gathered to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, reminiscent of the Amrit Snan festival on Mauni Amavasya.
From early morning until evening, waves of devotees continued arriving, making it difficult for authorities to manage the situation. Police officers had to revise traffic plans on the spot, diverting vehicles to parking lots 30 to 40 kilometers away from Prayagraj headquarters.
Despite these efforts, massive traffic jams persisted, with vehicles crawling on highways for hours. More than 50,000 vehicles entered the district in just 15 hours, only to leave in the same proportion. By 4 pm, an additional 1.18 crore people had taken a dip, proving that the crowds are not decreasing even after five major bathing festivals have concluded.
Authorities Struggle to Maintain Order
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued continuous instructions to ensure minimal inconvenience to devotees, but the sheer number of visitors is testing the system. Police officers are actively making and implementing crowd control plans, yet the normal influx of pilgrims on non-festival days is causing the traffic system to collapse.
To mitigate chaos, railway authorities are making continuous announcements at stations, alerting passengers about crowd control measures. Following Railway Board guidelines, officials have mandated that platforms must not be changed, while additional special trains and security reinforcements have been deployed.
Despite these precautions, the Maha Kumbh continues to draw record-breaking crowds, and managing the unprecedented number of devotees remains an ongoing challenge. Authorities remain on high alert, hoping to balance the spiritual significance of the festival with the need for public safety and order.
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