UP Turns 3,800 Buses Into Mobile Advertisements Ahead of Magh Mela 2026: What’s Changing This Time?

Prayagraj | December 3, 2025 Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for one of its biggest annual gatherings, and the preparations are already turning heads—quite literally—on the roads. More than 3,800 state transport buses across the state are being transformed into mobile advertisements to promote Magh Mela 2026. These buses, running from 115 depots across 20 regional zones including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad and Moradabad, are being covered with posters and themed vinyl wraps that capture the spirit, colours and cultural mood of the upcoming festival. Officials from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation explained that this move aims to spread awareness across districts in a more direct and visible way. Many buses will carry full-body wraps showcasing the energy of Magh Mela, turning regular transport into rolling billboards. According to regional manager Ravindra Kumar, this is one of their largest promotional campaigns yet. Magh Mela 2026 will run from January 3 to February 15, stretching over 44 days. This year, officials expect an enormous turnout—nearly 12 to 15 crore pilgrims, with daily attendance estimated between 20 and 25 lakh people. To manage the crowd smoothly, special bus services will begin on January 1 and continue until February 17. The huge fair area will spread across 800 hectares, divided into seven sectors and supported by 42 parking zones. For the first time, 275 shuttle buses will operate on major bathing days. These shuttles are meant to reduce the long walking distances devotees usually face, an issue that has caused discomfort and crowd buildup in past years. The idea is to keep movement smoother and make the experience more comfortable for pilgrims arriving from different parts of the country. During a review meeting on November 28, UPSRTC managing director Prabhu Narayan Singh inspected arrangements at the Civil Lines Bus Stand and the temporary transit station being set up at the Vidya Vahini campus. He also held a detailed meeting at the ICC auditorium to ensure that the roadways movement plan for Magh Mela works efficiently without causing crowd mismanagement or traffic bends. Out of the 3,800 buses arranged for the event, around 200 will operate within and around the Prayagraj district, depending on the day-to-day crowd size. The state is also bringing in electric buses under Prayagraj City Transport Services Limited to support shuttle operations. While 50 e-buses are currently available, authorities plan to run 75 during the Mela. To meet this target, 25 additional e-buses are being brought in from Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi. With more buses, better movement plans, and upgraded facilities, officials hope that this edition of the Magh Mela will be smoother and more accessible than ever before. The preparations clearly show that the state is expecting record-breaking attendance and wants to ensure that devotees arriving from all directions face fewer hurdles and more convenience during their spiritual journey. If everything goes as planned, the roads leading to Prayagraj won’t just carry passengers—they’ll carry the festival’s message long before the first day begins. UP Turns 3,800 Buses Into Mobile Advertisements Ahead of Magh Mela 2026: What’s Changing This Time? Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for Magh Mela 2026 in a big way, and the preparations have already taken over the roads. The state is turning more than 3,800 buses into moving ads to spread the word about the upcoming 44-day event. These buses, coming from 115 depots across 20 regional zones, are being wrapped with colourful posters and full-body designs that reflect the spirit of the Mela. From Prayagraj to Gorakhpur and Varanasi to Ghaziabad, these rolling billboards are already catching attention everywhere they go. Magh Mela 2026 will be held from January 3 to February 15, and officials are expecting a massive crowd—about 12 to 15 crore pilgrims in total, with 20–25 lakh people visiting daily. To manage this rush smoothly, special bus services will run from January 1 to February 17. The fair area will spread across 800 hectares, divided into seven big sectors with 42 parking zones to keep things organised. For the first time, 275 shuttle buses will run on major bathing days so that devotees don’t have to walk long distances. This is one of the most traveller-friendly steps planned for this year. UPSRTC MD Prabhu Narayan Singh has already inspected key locations like the Civil Lines Bus Stand and the temporary station at the Vidya Vahini campus. Meetings have also been held to finalise the road movement plan for the event. Out of the total buses, around 200 will operate within Prayagraj itself depending on the crowd. Electric buses will also join the fleet, with the target being to run 75 of them during the Mela. To achieve this, 25 e-buses are being brought in from Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi. With all these arrangements, the state is hoping to make Magh Mela 2026 smoother, safer and more comfortable for everyone arriving to take part in the sacred gathering.