Traffic advisory issued ahead of Maghi Purnima

The authourities in Prayagraj have announced stringent traffic restrictions around the Maha Kumbh Mela area ahead of Maghi Purnima, one of the most sacred bathing days. As lakhs of devotees get ready to take holy dip on 12 February, officials are focusing on crowd control and management.

To prevent overcrowding, the mela area has been declared a no-vehicle zone since 4 am on 11 February, with restrictions extending to the city from 5 pm. Vehicles must be parked at designated zones along specific routes. Essential and emergency service vehicles will remain exempt from these restrictions.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting with police and civic officials and urged the authorities to fully use the 5,00,000-vehicle parking capacity to ease congestion.

“Long queues of vehicles should not be allowed to form on roads. Traffic congestion must be prevented at all costs,” he said. The same regulations will apply to Kalpvasis, the devotees who reside in the mela area for an extended period.