A major traffic jam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has left hundreds of pilgrims stuck for over 30 hours, as congestion on the Prayagraj-Lucknow highway has severely delayed devotees heading to the holy confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
Frustrated pilgrims have urged authorities to allow vehicles to exit the city before new ones enter, in an effort to ease the gridlock. In a heartwarming display of solidarity, local villagers have been providing food and assistance to the stranded travelers.
While authorities have downplayed the situation, claiming delays will last only a few hours, the extended traffic snarl has raised concerns about the effectiveness of crowd management strategies for such large-scale events.
This incident underscores the challenges of managing major religious festivals and highlights the need for better planning to ensure the safety and well-being of millions of participants.
