Prayagraj: Prayagraj is witnessing an unprecedented surge of devotees ahead of Maaghi Purnima, leading to severe traffic congestion and the closure of key transport routes. The influx of pilgrims taking a holy dip in the Sangam has overwhelmed roads, railways, and local facilities, with over 43.57 crore devotees visiting the fair since January 13.
Since Sunday, traffic in the city has been paralyzed, with commuters taking hours to cover a 20-minute distance. The congestion has reached such a level that neighboring Madhya Pradesh has shut down roads leading to Prayagraj, including highways from Katni, Maihar, and Jabalpur to Rewa. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed authorities to assist those stranded.
Traffic Chaos: Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station Shut
On Sunday, the heavy crowd forced authorities to close the Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station, redirecting passengers to Prayagraj Junction. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Northern Railway), Lucknow Kuldeep Tiwari said, “Passengers were facing difficulty in exiting the station, so it was decided to close it temporarily.” Additional trains are being considered to ease the pressure.
Traffic ADCP Kuldeep Singh highlighted the gravity of the situation, saying, “The rush is comparable to Mauni Amavasya. Parking lots are filling up rapidly, and vehicles are lined up across the city.”
To manage the chaos, North Central Railway has implemented a single-direction movement system at Prayagraj Junction:
- Entry will only be from the city side (platform number 1).
- Exit will be from the Civil Lines side.
- Unreserved ticket holders will enter through designated shelters with ATVMs and mobile ticketing facilities.
- Reserved ticket holders will enter via Gate No. 5, with access to platforms allowed only 30 minutes before train arrival.
