S Harpal Singh from Adilabad
Prayagraj witnessed an extraordinary surge in vehicular traffic during the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh Mela, which concludes on Wednesday, February 26. The event, renowned for drawing millions of devotees for the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, also set a new benchmark for car traffic entering the city.
One key indicator of this massive influx was the Pipparwada toll plaza on NH 44, located in Jainad mandal of Adilabad district, Telangana. As the last toll point before the Maharashtra border, it serves as a crucial checkpoint for traffic heading north from states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
According to sources from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the number of cars passing through the toll plaza reached unprecedented levels, particularly in February during key bathing days. With no direct rail or road connectivity to Prayagraj from the southern states, many devotees opted for personal vehicles to reach the pilgrimage site.
Between February 1 and February 13 alone, a staggering 64,987 cars crossed the Pipparwada toll plaza, averaging nearly 5,000 vehicles per day. This was a sharp rise from January’s traffic figures, which saw 65,169 vehicles crossing the toll plaza over the entire month.
As the Maha Kumbh neared its conclusion, the number of vehicles on the roads continued to rise, further solidifying this record-breaking trend. Local drivers played a significant role in this surge, with many ferrying devotees on multiple trips to and from Prayagraj.
Rathod Nihal, a driver from Mutnoor village in Adilabad’s Indervelli mandal, made six trips to Prayagraj, transporting devotees from surrounding villages. “The demand was so high that I had to make at least one trip every week,” Nihal shared, noting that he was one of many professional drivers contributing to the record-breaking traffic volume.
As final traffic statistics are compiled, it is evident that this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela not only attracted an unprecedented number of pilgrims but also set a remarkable record in terms of vehicular movement. The event has reaffirmed its status as the world’s largest religious gathering, leaving an indelible mark on pilgrimage history.
