During a recent review meeting, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his strong displeasure over the severe traffic congestion in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh festival. Frustrated with the lack of adequate arrangements, he confronted senior police officials, questioning their preparedness and accountability. Addressing Prayagraj’s Additional Director General (ADG) Bhanu Bhaskar, he firmly reminded them of their responsibilities, asking how such critical duties could be neglected at a time when managing the city’s traffic was of utmost importance.
The chief minister emphasized that shifting blame was not an option and that every official must take full responsibility for their assigned tasks. With millions of pilgrims gathering for the grand religious event, Yogi Adityanath was visibly concerned about the inconvenience faced by devotees. Pointing out the predictable surge in crowds during weekends and holidays, he demanded to know what special measures had been put in place to handle the influx. He warned that negligence in such an important event would not be tolerated and hinted at strict action against those failing in their duties.
Despite the logistical challenges, the Mahakumbh continues to witness an overwhelming turnout of devotees from across India and abroad. Uttar Pradesh has already surpassed its ambitious target of hosting 450 million visitors for the religious congregation, and the number is expected to exceed 500 million by the end of the festival. As of Tuesday morning, an estimated 50 lakh people had taken a holy dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam, reflecting the unwavering faith and devotion of the pilgrims.
The spiritual fervor remains high even after the completion of major bathing festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchami. The largest gathering so far was seen on Mauni Amavasya, with nearly 80 million devotees participating in the sacred ritual. Other significant bathing days have also drawn massive crowds, including 35 million on Makar Sankranti and 25.7 million on Basant Panchami. Even before the upcoming Magh Purnima, lakhs of pilgrims continue to arrive daily, eager to experience the divine blessings of the holy river.
The grandeur of the Mahakumbh has attracted several prominent figures from across the country. Among those who have taken part in the sacred dip are President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself, along with his entire cabinet, has also participated in the religious rituals. Other notable attendees include state governors, chief ministers from various states, union ministers, and political leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav.
Despite the challenges posed by the unprecedented crowd, the devotion and spiritual energy of the Mahakumbh remain unshaken. The Uttar Pradesh government is now working towards ensuring smoother arrangements for the remaining days of the festival, striving to provide a hassle-free experience for the millions of pilgrims seeking blessings at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
