Nashik Kumbh Mela: Huge akhara turnout leads to traffic chaos

Sanjay Mohite, Superintendent of police, Nashik rural, explaining the inconvenience caused, said that huge turnouts of sadhus and vehicles in the procession prompted the police to restrict other vehicular traffic towards the temple.

“Five akharas were supposed to carry out processions to Trimbakeshwar temple. However, the turnout for two akharas, Bada Udasin Akhara and Juna Akhara, was more than expected. The two had over 70 tractors loaded with Mahamandaleshwars who had come for the darshan. The processions were planned between 1 pm to 6 pm. However, last-minute changes led to the chaos. We had to take a decision at 2.30 pm to stop all vehicles plying the general public to avert any untoward incident,” Mohite said.

Sources said adding to the chaos, a sadhu of Bada Udasin Akhara got an electric shock and had to be hospitalised. He has been declared out of danger.

As the government authorities in Nashik grappled with the situation of managing the surging crowds, vehicular movement was halted suddenly though the ‘no vehicle’ zone was supposed to be applicable from August 28 afternoon.

People who boarded the buses from a car park 10-11 kms away from Trimbakeshwar, were asked to get off 10 minutes into the journey.

“I paid Rs 30 to get on the bus. We are a family of nine travelling from Bhilai. Almost 10-15 minutes after we boarded the bus from the car park, we were asked to get off as the bus was no longer allowed to go to Trimbakeshwar. No reason was given and the money was not returned,” said Suresh Saha.