Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Visakhapatnam Giri Pradakshina Causes Hours of Traffic Chaos
A big religious walk called Giri Pradakshina happened in Visakhapatnam.
About 500,000 people joined, but the city wasn’t ready for so many.
Cars and bikes got stuck for 3 to 4 hours on the main roads.
The people who organized the walk tried to send the pilgrims onto a highway, but that made the traffic even worse.
A local politician said the organizers didn’t plan well and asked for an investigation.
About 500,000 devotees joined the Giri Pradakshina, far fewer than the 700,000 expected.
Traffic jams lasted 3–4 hours on key stretches, affecting both pilgrims and commuters.
Pilgrims were diverted to the national highway, causing further congestion for all users.
YSRCP district president KK Raju criticized the mismanagement and demanded a probe.
The command control room failed to manage traffic, leading to widespread gridlock.
- Who
- Devotees, commuters, officials, YSRCP district president KK Raju
- What
- Traffic congestion during the Giri Pradakshina festival
- When
- Late at night Tuesday, earlier that day
- Where
- Visakhapatnam city, NAD to Simhachalam, Hanumanthawaka to Beach Road
- Why
- Inadequate planning and crowd mismanagement
- Event
- Giri Pradakshina
- Location
- Visakhapatnam, India
- Expected devotees
- 700,000
- Actual devotees
- 500,000
- Traffic delay
- 3-4 hours
- Key complaint
- lack of coordination
- Authority called for
- probe