Prayagraj has been under the lens for all the wrong reasons lately, with stampedes, fires, and VIP treatment to some devotees at the Maha Kumbh hitting headlines. Fresh chaos erupted in Prayagraj, UP, on Thursday when a pontoon bridge was closed to the general public, completely destroying the traffic management in the city.
Access to Pontoon Bridge number 19 was restricted, preventing the general public from crossing over to the Sangam site. However, police and administrative vehicles continued to use the bridge. This led to protests by the public at the scene. After the bridge was closed, the crowd began voicing their discontent, accusing the police of deliberately creating a chaotic situation.
People stranded at the site told ABP News that officials had directed them to use Bridge number 17. But when they reached there, they were redirected to Bridge number 19, which was closed. Frustrated and exhausted, the crowd complained of being stuck in long jams for hours.
A scooterist stuck at the bridge said: “The police have closed all the bridges. They are saying only police and administrative vehicles can pass.” “Only VIPs are being allowed to pass,” another stranded man said.
According to reports, Shastri Bridge in Prayagraj was also heavily congested. However, the police failed to provide any explanation or solution. The Maha Kumbh administration appeared clueless on how to manage the situation. When administrative vehicles were seen crossing the bridge, people protested, leading to the vehicles being sent back.
A senior police officer stationed on duty at the bridge said: “I have alerted the higher administration about the situation here. This bridge is only for administrative vehicles.” When informed about the other bridges in the area being closed, another senior officer said: “I don’t know about other bridges. Earlier, this bridge was open to the public. Now, this has been reserved for only administrative officials. We have orders.”
The police, however, did not have any answer as to why the bridge was closed nor could they provide any alternative.
