World’s Longest Traffic Snarl: 300-Km Gridlock Near Maha Kumbh

A massive 300-kilometer-long queue of vehicles turned the roads to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, into endless parking lots. Lakhs of pilgrims, eager to attend the world’s largest religious gathering, were left stranded in their cars on Sunday, stuck hundreds of kilometers from the fairground.

Prayagraj: Vehicles stuck in a jam due to traffic restrictions during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (PTI)

The unprecedented congestion, which netizens called the “world’s biggest traffic jam,” reportedly extended up to 200-300 km involving vehicles of pilgrims headed for Maha Kumbh mela via Madhya Pradesh and prompted the police there to stop traffic in different districts on Sunday, leaving people stuck on roads for several hours.

A day earlier, hundreds of vehicles heading for Prayagraj were stopped in different areas in Madhya Pradesh due to the heavy traffic and to avoid overcrowding, according to news agency PTI.

To manage the heavy congestion, police in various districts of Madhya Pradesh halted vehicular movement and urged people to seek safe shelter.

In Katni district, police vehicles announced that traffic would remain suspended until Monday, while Maihar Police directed vehicles to turn back toward Katni and Jabalpur and wait there.

“It is impossible to travel toward Prayagraj today due to a 200-300 kilometer-long traffic jam,” police stated, as reported by PTI.

Videos circulating on social media depict massive lines of thousands of cars and trucks stranded on roads across Katni, Jabalpur, Maihar, and Rewa districts.

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Massive Traffic Chaos at Maha Kumbh

Eyewitnesses reported a 250-km-long traffic jam from Katni to the MP-UP border at Chakghat in Rewa district, with some vehicles stranded for up to 48 hours.

Frustrated commuters took to social media, describing the gridlock as “probably the world’s biggest traffic jam,” with some covering just 5 km in 5 hours. Many had to cancel travel plans due to severe congestion.

Authorities attributed the chaos to an overwhelming Sunday rush, stating that traffic is being regulated in coordination with Prayagraj officials. Despite efforts, the continuous influx of pilgrims has kept pressure high on the Rewa-Prayagraj route.

Rewa district administration assured that food, water, and shelter arrangements are being made for stranded travelers. MP BJP president VD Sharma urged party workers to assist pilgrims in their areas.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13 and runs until February 26, has already seen over 40 crore visitors participating in the sacred ‘Snan’ at the Sangam.

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