Prayagraj, once a city buzzing with pride over its transformation for the Mahakumbh, is now struggling under the weight of an unrelenting influx of visitors. Despite the conclusion of the last Amrit Snan on February 19, residents are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate their own city as crowds continue to pour in.
One frustrated local took to Reddit to express their exhaustion, saying, “Prayagraj has officially reached its breaking point, and as a local resident, I can’t take it anymore.”
City’s overhaul turns into a nightmare
The past year saw Prayagraj undergoing massive infrastructure upgrades, with new flyovers, widened roads, and improved traffic management in preparation for the grand event. While residents initially welcomed the changes and the influx of pilgrims, they are now feeling trapped as the city remains overwhelmed.
The Reddit user detailed the ongoing struggle, stating, “Every single road, flyover, alley, and public space was just dust, debris, and dug-up streets. But honestly? It was a much-needed change.” However, they added that the real problem began when the expected crowd decline failed to happen.
Unrelenting crowds and traffic chaos
The city’s public transport system is overloaded, roads are jammed, and even the narrowest alleys are packed. Residents who had hoped for some relief post-February 12 (Maghi Purnima) are instead seeing more chaos. The user lamented, “We thought we’d finally be able to move around our own city, take out our own vehicles, visit Chowk without hassle. BUT NO. Outer people just keep coming.”
Adding to the frustration is the behaviour of visitors, with the Reddit user criticising a lack of civic sense: “Pedestrians? No civic sense. Spitting, peeing, throwing garbage wherever they feel like it.” Bikers and e-rickshaw drivers were also blamed for worsening congestion.
Many locals are now avoiding stepping out altogether. The Reddit user shared their personal experience of attempting to navigate Prayagraj, only to face an hour-long wait for a two-kilometre journey. “I was literally on the verge of crying,” they wrote.
A desperate plea to visitors
Residents are now pleading for relief, urging tourists to visit at a later time. The viral post ended with a desperate message: “Please, for the love of God, STOP COMING. Ganga ji aur Sangam kahin nahi ja rahe.(Ganga and the Sangam won’t go anywhere) You can come peacefully later. Have some mercy on this city and its people. We are begging you.”
Mahakumbh 2025 officially began in January, drawing millions of devotees for the sacred bathing rituals at the Sangam in Prayagraj. The government has launched aggressive marketing campaigns, promoting Mahakumbh through social media, advertisements, and large-scale infrastructure projects to attract even more visitors.