For mega gatherings like Mahakumbh, crowd management, traffic planning should be prioritised
The Hindu religious festival Mahakumbh, held once every 12 years, draws millions of pilgrims to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to bathe in the holy confluence of the three sacred rivers — Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
The event is also a colossal logistical undertaking. It is estimated that around 500 million worshippers participated in the 2025 Mahakumbh ritual.
Understanding the event’s scale, authorities implemented several strategies to manage the influx of pilgrims. A significant innovation this year is the creation of the Maha Kumbh Mela District in Prayagraj, equipped with high-end facilities such as temporary housing, sanitation services, medical aid and food courts to cater to the needs of millions of pilgrims.
Planning for an event of this magnitude is essential, but it’s also crucial to learn from past tragedies that have occurred during previous Mahakumbhs. Incidents like the stampede in Prayagraj, the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) and the 300-kilometre-long traffic jam in 2025 serve as stark reminders of the consequences of inadequate crowd control and traffic management. These events underline the need for improved planning to avoid chaos and loss of life at future Mahakumbhs and other gatherings of this scale.
A tragic stampede occurred in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh in 2025, claiming many lives. It was triggered by a sudden surge of pilgrims eager to take their sacred dip, leading to overcrowding that became uncontrollable. This event emphasised the importance of crowd flow management, clear signage, proper barriers and well-planned entry and exit points.
Despite the authorities’ best efforts, narrow walkways, insufficient barriers in some areas and poor crowd density management contributed to the tragedy. The lesson learnt is that organising such a massive event requires careful zoning and real-time monitoring to guide the crowd and prevent overcrowding. Authorities must ensure that barriers control the flow of pilgrims and that emergency exits are easily accessible.
Days after this tragic incident, another stampede broke out at NDLS as thousands of pilgrims scrambled to board trains to Prayagraj. This also resulted in casualties and injuries. The accident highlighted the urgent need for effective crowd control not only at the event venue but also at transit points such as railway stations, bus terminals and airports.
Moreover, public transport should have been enhanced based on the number of pilgrims registered for the event.
Reports suggest that chaos at NDLS was exacerbated by poor signage, a lack of crowd marshals to direct pilgrims and inadequate waiting areas. The inability to manage such a large number of people at transit hubs led to confusion, overcrowding and, ultimately, tragedy.
There needs to be coordinated crowd management between event organisers, local authorities and transportation agencies for such mega-events. Well-marked waiting areas and pre-designated queues could alleviate crowd pressure at these transit points.
One of the most extreme examples of traffic mismanagement during the Mahakumbh occurred when a 300-kilometre traffic jam formed on the roads leading to Prayagraj. Thousands of vehicles, including private cars, buses and trucks, were stuck for hours as they made their way to the event. This delay caused frustration, fatigue and confusion among pilgrims and general commuters alike.
The congestion exposed several flaws in the event’s traffic management strategy. The sheer number of vehicles — combined with a lack of proper road diversions, clear signage, inadequate parking facilities and mismanaged on-street parking — led to a gridlock that caused significant disruptions.
Further, the inefficient use of public transportation led to an over-reliance on private vehicles. This episode emphasised that traffic planning is just as crucial as crowd control at such large-scale events. Proper traffic diversions, dedicated lanes for pilgrims, and real-time monitoring are essential to prevent such bottlenecks.
Strategies for improvement
The following strategies can help enhance the management of such large-scale events:
1. Enhanced public transport reliance: To reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, it is essential to make large gatherings more public transport-friendly. End-to-end trip chaining should be planned to encourage pilgrims to use public transport rather than driving personal vehicles into the city.
2. Dedicated transportation routes: Creating dedicated lanes for pilgrim buses and vehicles can help alleviate road congestion. Public transport should be encouraged to minimize the number of private vehicles on the roads.
3. Road diversions and traffic control points: Diversion plans must be implemented well in advance to guide traffic around the event area. Clear road signs, traffic control points and coordinated management will ensure a smoother flow of vehicles.
4. Pre-event registration and scheduling: Requiring pilgrims to register in advance and introducing timed entry slots can help control the flow of people, preventing surges and bottlenecks at critical points.
5. Carpooling and ride-sharing: Encouraging pilgrims to use ride-sharing services or carpool can reduce the number of cars on the road, alleviating traffic congestion.
6. Parking management: Effective parking management is crucial. Providing off-street parking facilities and banning on-street parking along routes leading to the venue can prevent further gridlock.
7. Real-time information dissemination: Ensuring real-time communication through digital platforms or public address systems can provide pilgrims with critical updates on traffic conditions, parking availability, and crowd movement, making it easier to navigate the area.
The tragedies of past Mahakumbhs emphasise the need for meticulous planning regarding crowd management and traffic flow. In 2025, authorities have already taken steps in the right direction with innovations such as mandatory registration, better transport management, and the creation of the Maha Kumbh Mela District. However, ongoing monitoring, real-time interventions and coordination among stakeholders — including event organisers, local authorities and transportation agencies — remain crucial to ensuring a smooth and safe event.
A well-conceived Traffic Impact Assessment, combined with effective crowd management strategies, is imperative. By learning from past mistakes and planning for the future, authorities can ensure that such gatherings remain safe, organised and spiritually enriching for the millions of pilgrims who attend.