NH-44 serves as a vital route for reaching Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, where the sacred event is set to conclude on Shivaratri.
Adilabad: A large number of vehicles are streaming along National Highway 44 as thousands of devotees from Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other regions head to the Kumbh Mela for a holy dip ahead of Shivaratri on February 26. NH-44 serves as a vital route for reaching Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, where the sacred event is set to conclude on Shivaratri.
Travellers have been spotted in significant numbers at hotels, dabhas, and petrol pumps along the highway. Local residents, including Anjaiah of Adilabad, noted the increasing traffic as the closing date of the Kumbh Mela approaches, though many devotees are calling for an extension to accommodate those still planning to attend.
Dr Dnyaneshwar Kothule of Adilabad, who recently returned after taking a holy dip at the Mela, observed that devotees continue to arrive in large numbers, undeterred by the growing traffic, to fulfill their spiritual aspirations. Along NH-44, vendors and service providers are bracing for the surge, stocking up on food, petrol, and diesel as long queues form at dabhas and petrol pumps from Nirmal to Adilabad.
Rajender Prasad of Hyderabad, travelling with friends, emphasised the urgency to complete the pilgrimage within the next three days, warning that the anticipated traffic jams could make later travel extremely challenging as Shivaratri draws near.
