Hours after reports emerged of a 300 km-long traffic jam en route to Mahakumbh, the state DGP issued a clarification on Monday. UP Police Chief Prashant Kumar said that delays in traffic movement are inevitable "not due to mismanagement, but due to the sheer number of devotees during Mahakumbh 2025."
"That delays in traffic movement are inevitable? not due to mismanagement, but due to the sheer number of devotees during Mahakumbh 2025, as it is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history," said DGP Prashant Kumar, as quoted by news agency PTI.
On Sunday, thousands of vehicles crawled at a snail라이브 바카라 pace, struggling to move even an inch on the roads leading to Civil Lines. Alternatively, pilgrims were advised to take the Shastri Bridge route to reach Sangam.
Highlighting that over 40 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the UP DGP said that managing the unprecedented movement of people and vehicles during Mahakumbh 2025 is a challenge that no city, administration, or police force in the world has ever encountered before.
"Mahakumbh 2025 is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history. With over 40 crore pilgrims having already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam and millions arriving each day, managing the unprecedented movement of people and vehicles is a challenge that no city, no administration, and no police force in the world has ever encountered before," he said, as quoted by PTI.
"The sheer scale of this spiritual gathering has pushed the infrastructure of Prayagraj beyond its maximum capacity, making delays in traffic movement inevitable, not due to mismanagement but due to the sheer volume of devotees," Kumar added.
Their words of gratitude reflect the massive effort and commitment behind the scenes, ensuring that Mahakumbh remains a sacred and well-organized spectacle despite the unimaginable scale, the DGP said.
He also said that videos from Prayagraj city and inter-district borders on Monday afternoon showed traffic movement returning to near-normal, highlighting the police's relentless efforts.
"Instead of focusing solely on criticism, one must acknowledge the extraordinary perseverance of our police force, who are not just managing an event but writing history with their relentless service. I salute every police officer, the true unsung heroes who are turning the impossible into reality every single day," he added.
He said that with over 40 crore pilgrims having already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam and millions arriving each day, managing the unprecedented movement of people and vehicles during Mahakumbh 2025 is a challenge that no city, administration, or police force in the world has ever encountered before.
In the statement, he said, "Mahakumbh 2025 is witnessing the largest congregation of humanity in history. With over 40 crore pilgrims having already taken a sacred dip at the Sangam and millions arriving each day, managing the unprecedented movement of people and vehicles is a challenge that no city, no administration, and no police force in the world has ever encountered before."
He said that despite these challenges, police personnel—from constables on the ground to senior officers—are working tirelessly to ensure smooth traffic flow, assist pilgrims, and maintain law and order with patience and skill, he said.
"Managing this ocean of humanity is a Herculean task, and every police officer on duty is displaying unmatched dedication to making Mahakumbh 2025 a safe and seamless experience," the DGP said.
Elaborating further, he said, "There is no global precedent for what UP Police is managing today. No city, country, or police force has ever had to regulate such an enormous gathering of people and vehicles in real time. This is not just crowd management; this is history in the making."
"Future generations will study this moment as a testament to discipline, determination, and duty," he said.
Referring to the criticism, Kumar said that while criticism finds its space in media and social media, it is heartening to see numerous video testimonials from pilgrims, both common devotees and prominent personalities, who have appreciated the seamless organization, security, and assistance provided by UP Police and the administration.
Their words of gratitude reflect the massive effort and commitment behind the scenes, ensuring that Mahakumbh remains a sacred and well-organized spectacle despite the unimaginable scale, the DGP said.
