Every few years, the Kumbh Mela turns the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and Narmada into a sea of devotees. In 2024, the Haridwar‑Kumbh, scheduled from mid‑March to late‑April, is expected to draw more than 70 million pilgrims. The sheer volume of people, vehicles, and security forces strains India’s transport network in ways that ripple far beyond the four holy rivers. Ayodhya, the site of the new Ram Temple, is no exception. Travelers who have planned visits to the temple find themselves caught in a web of delays, cancellations and rerouting, a situation that has become a topic of discussion across the country.
The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious gathering; it is a logistical challenge that demands coordination at every level of government. The event is organized in a rotating fashion among four cities, with the 2024 edition held in Haridwar. Over the course of 45 days, the city’s population swells by several million, turning narrow streets into congested arteries. Local authorities deploy thousands of police, traffic police and volunteers, and the Indian Railways and Airports Authority of India (AAI) allocate special trains and flights to accommodate the influx. Even though the focus is on the riverbanks, the effect spreads across the entire region.
Railways in the Uttar Pradesh–Delhi corridor experience a surge in passenger traffic. Many trains that usually run on schedule are either cancelled or run at reduced capacity. The Delhi‑Mumbai and Delhi‑Kolkata routes, which serve as major arteries for pilgrims heading to Ayodhya, also feel the pinch. Airlines operating from major hubs such as Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai report higher booking rates for flights to smaller airports in the region, leading to limited availability for other travelers. Road transport is not spared; the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reports increased traffic on the NH2 and NH27 routes that link the Kumbh Mela sites to Ayodhya.
For those planning a trip to the Ram Temple, the Kumbh Mela’s ripple effect means that many of the usual travel routes are congested. A train that normally arrives in Ayodhya at 10 am can be delayed by an hour or more, and sometimes passengers are redirected to alternate stations. Flight bookings to the nearest airport, Ayodhya Airport, often fill up quickly, pushing travelers to look for alternatives such as Lucknow or Varanasi. Road journeys that typically take four hours can extend beyond six, as traffic lights stay red for longer periods and detours are introduced to divert crowds away from the main thoroughfares.
“I booked a train from Lucknow to Ayodhya two weeks ahead, but on the day of departure the train was cancelled. The next available service was at 6 pm, and I had to spend the night in a hotel in Lucknow.” – Rakesh Kumar, 34, Kanpur
Rakesh’s experience is echoed by many. Another traveler, Meera from Mumbai, shared that her flight to Lucknow was delayed by 90 minutes, which meant she missed her connecting train to Ayodhya. She had to wait for the next service, arriving late in the evening. “It felt like a domino effect,” she said. “The delay in one segment pushed everything else down the line.” These anecdotes highlight how a single delay can cascade into a series of inconveniences for pilgrims.
To mitigate the impact on pilgrims, the Uttar Pradesh government, in coordination with the central authorities, has launched a series of measures. Additional trains have been introduced on key routes, and special services are scheduled to run on days with the highest expected footfall. The AAI has increased flight frequencies to nearby airports, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed extra security and crowd‑control teams along major highways. Moreover, digital platforms have been upgraded to provide real‑time traffic updates and alternate routing suggestions.
These interventions aim to reduce the bottlenecks that often lead to prolonged waiting times. While they may not eliminate all delays, they provide travelers with better options to navigate the congested transport landscape.
The period leading up to the Kumbh Mela’s conclusion is typically the most crowded. As the event draws to a close, the influx of pilgrims starts to ease, offering a more relaxed travel environment. For those planning visits after the Kumbh, the traffic situation is likely to improve. However, the residual effects on the transport network can linger, so staying informed about the latest updates remains crucial.
The experience of this year underscores the need for better synchronization between large religious events and regional travel plans. For pilgrims heading to the Ram Temple, understanding the broader context can turn a potentially frustrating journey into a manageable one.
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