Unprecedented Maha Kumbh rush: Nearly one-third of India’s population descends on Prayagraj, turnout 'exceeds all projections'

"This is the biggest human congregation ever witnessed. We had prepared for a massive turnout, but this has exceeded all projections," said Shishir Kumar.

The recent surge in devotees follows a period of lower-than-expected turnout after the tragic stampede on Mauni Amavasya (January 29), which claimed 30 lives. The anticipated crowd of 10 crore was reduced to 7.5 crore, and on Basant Panchami, only 2.5 crore devotees arrived instead of the expected 4 crore. However, the situation has now reversed, with lakhs of people thronging the city for the religious festival.

Business impact and traffic woes

The downturn in footfall had temporarily affected local businesses. Harjinder Singh, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Prayagraj, noted that the hospitality industry suffered losses during the week following the stampede. However, the tide has now turned, and businesses are witnessing a sharp revival as pilgrims return in large numbers.

The surge has also led to severe traffic congestion. Senior journalist Hemant Tiwari shared his experience, stating that his journey from Lucknow to Prayagraj, which usually takes less than four hours, stretched to 13 hours. "Nearly 80% of my travel time was covered within two hours, but once I reached the Prayagraj border, the situation worsened," he said.

Reports suggest a traffic jam for over 10 km around Prayagraj. All roads are packed with vehicles. The Sunday holiday further intensified the situation, causing traffic jams. People from the nearby districts had plans to take a dip on Sunday and return by evening. But are forced to stay back due to persistent traffic jams. Vehicles are moving at a crawl for nearly 25 km on highways connecting Prayagraj with Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Rewa. Pilgrims, both arriving and departing, have been stranded for hours, hungry and thirsty, as they wait for the congestion to ease.

UB Singh, a devotee from Lucknow, got so frustrated with the endless traffic and lack of amenities that he turned back midway. "There was no water, food was overpriced, and the traffic was unbearable. It was impossible to move even a few meters in an hour," he said. “So, I have decided to return without taking a dip.”

Sanat Chatterjee from Kolkata, on the other hand, persisted despite facing severe jams and hunger. "It took me 18 hours to reach the Kumbh. At roadside dhabas, a bottle of water that usually costs Rs 20 was being sold for Rs 50. There was no other option but to pay or stay thirsty," he shared.

Railway and crowd management measures

To tackle the massive crowds, emergency crowd management measures have been implemented at Prayagraj Junction. Kuldeep Tiwari, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway Lucknow, announced that the Prayagraj Sangam railway station will remain closed until February 14 to prevent overcrowding.

Railway Division PRO Amit Singh elaborated on the steps being taken to streamline passenger movement. "Color-coded tickets and designated shelter slots have been introduced. These shelters, categorised based on passengers' destinations, are equipped with temporary ticket counters, toilets, and waiting areas. Additionally, reserved ticket holders will be granted entry through Gate No. 5," he said. Passengers have been advised to arrive well in advance of their scheduled train departures.

In collaboration with civil police, local taxi, auto, and e-rickshaw drivers have been instructed to follow a single-direction traffic plan to prevent bottlenecks and ensure smooth transit for devotees.

Footfall on key dates

January 13 (Paush Purnima): 1.70 crore

January 14 (Makar Sankranti): 3.50 crore

January 26: 1.74 crore

January 27: 1.55 crore

January 28: 4.99 crore

January 29 (Mauni Amavasya): 7.64 crore (Highest)

January 30: 2.06 crore

January 31: 1.82 crore

February 01: 2.15 crore

February 03 (Basant Panchami): 2.57 crore

February 09: 1.57 crore

Struggles of pilgrims

The heavy rush has led to distressing experiences for many travelers. Akash Dwivedi, a devotee returning to Lucknow, reported being stuck in a traffic jam near Malaka village for over three hours. Similarly, overcrowding in trains has created chaos, with passengers resorting to desperate measures to find space.

At Varanasi, women forcibly entered a train engine after failing to secure seats, prompting police intervention. In Hardoi, frustrated devotees resorted to vandalism when the train coach doors remained shut, causing further disruption.

"We saw people fainting from exhaustion and dehydration. There were children crying and elderly people struggling. Authorities must ensure that basic necessities like food and water are available for devotees," said Meena Sharma, a social activist volunteering at the Maha Kumbh.

As the Maha Kumbh enters its final weeks, authorities are on high alert, working round-the-clock to manage the massive crowds and ensure the safety of pilgrims attending this once-in-12-years event.