Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The traffic towards the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has surged in the past 24 hours, particularly from districts bordering Uttar Pradesh, due to the weekend rush, officials said on Sunday. Rewa district has seen the most significant increase, with around 1,500 vehicles heading towards Prayagraj every hour at the Chakghat border. At the same time, nearly 1,000 vehicles were returning, creating a noticeable rise in road activity.
Prayagraj, located about 45 km from Chakghat, is witnessing a growing flow of pilgrims. Inspector General of Rewa range, Saket Prakash Pandey, said that the first parking area for the Mahakumbh has been set up just six kilometers from the Chakghat border.
Elaborate arrangements are in place at "holding areas" and help centres to assist travellers. The traffic on National Highway 30, the main route towards Prayagraj, has steadily increased in the last 24 hours. With the weekend influx of devotees, the administration has increased vigilance but is not halting vehicles at the Bela, Gangev, or Chakghat checkpoints. The situation is not classified as a traffic jam, despite the higher vehicle count.
Authorities have also made provisions at "holding areas" in Maihar, Katni, and Satna districts to manage flow of traffic. As the Mahakumbh fair area and Prayagraj city have been declared "no-vehicle zones," heavy vehicle movement on the borders remains under close monitoring. Similar traffic jams were witnessed earlier this month on the 250 km stretch from Katni to the Uttar Pradesh border.The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26.
