Patna witnessed unprecedented traffic chaos on Tuesday as the Digha-AIIMS road transformed into a virtual parking lot during the Kartik Purnima celebrations. Thousands of devotees flocking to the Ganga ghats for their holy dip created a perfect storm of congestion that brought vehicle movement to a standstill for hours.
Religious Frenzy Meets Urban Infrastructure
The annual Kartik Purnima festival, considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar for taking a holy dip in the Ganges, led to massive pedestrian movement toward the riverbanks. This religious fervor directly collided with Patna's daily commute, resulting in one of the worst traffic jams witnessed in recent months.
Commuters shared harrowing experiences of being stuck in their vehicles for over two hours on the crucial Digha-AIIMS corridor. The road, which serves as a vital artery connecting several important institutions and residential areas, completely failed to handle the sudden surge of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Key Factors Behind the Gridlock
- Massive devotee movement toward Ganga ghats for Kartik Purnima snan
- Inadequate traffic management planning for festival crowds
- Limited alternative routes available for regular commuters
- Poor coordination between traffic police and festival organizers
Commuters Voice Their Frustration
Local residents and daily commuters expressed their frustration at the complete breakdown of traffic management systems. Many reported missing important appointments, work commitments, and medical visits due to the unprecedented gridlock.
"I had a crucial doctor's appointment at AIIMS that I missed completely," shared Rohan Kumar, a frustrated commuter. "The authorities should have anticipated this situation and made better arrangements. We face this every year during major festivals."
Emergency Services Affected
The traffic paralysis raised serious concerns about emergency vehicle movement. Ambulances and other essential services faced significant delays navigating through the sea of stationary vehicles and devotees.
Local authorities have promised to review the situation and implement better traffic management strategies for future religious events. However, for now, Patna residents are left dealing with the aftermath of one of the city's worst traffic nightmares.
