Maha Kumbh 2025: Why authorities are ignoring SOS messages from this Prayagraj wholesale hub

PRAYAGRAJ: With the rush of devotees for Maha Kumbh leading to the 'unofficial' closure of the wholesale medicine market in Prayagraj, the city is facing a severe crisis of medicines, including essential and life-saving drugs. Despite repeated pleas from traders and pharmaceutical suppliers, the authorities have so far ignored the SOS messages, leading to growing concerns among residents and medical professionals, reports Kapil Dixit.
Leader Road, which serves as the largest wholesale medicines hub in the city, is situated on the busiest path from Sangam towards the railway station. Due to this, the entry of trucks carrying medical supplies has been strictly prohibited. Since mid-January, the market has struggled to operate efficiently, primarily due to the uninterrupted flow of devotees in the area. As a direct consequence, medicine stocks, particularly for blood pressure, heart diseases, and diabetes, have nearly run out at both wholesale and retail levels, leaving patients and hospitals in distress.
Anil Dubey, who heads the Allahabad Chemist and Druggist Association, told TOI, "Since January 24, traders engaged in the wholesale drug business have not been able to function properly. This has created a massive gap between demand and supply, which is worsening every passing day."
Traders have repeatedly complained that the supply chain has been severely disrupted as trucks carrying medicines are not permitted to enter city limits. "Association members have made several attempts to convey the severity of the drug shortage to the concerned district authorities, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears," Dubey said. No transporter is willing to book medicine consignments to Leader Road due to the strict enforcement measures imposed by the police and district authorities.
Government officials, however, have dismissed the concerns, stating that there has been no official order for the closure of the market.