New Delhi – The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has prompted the government to alter the pattern of aircraft charges in Prayagraj. Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam called for an immediate meeting with airlines on Monday, principally to discuss the huge increase in prices, especially in the run-up to forthcoming major bathing dates.
According to the Times of India, the companies have fast escalated the air prices to Prayagraj, confronted by the pilgrims who didn’t know they could arrive with a ticket costing so much. In anticipation of the next Mauni Amavasya snan (royal bath) on January 29th, people perceive inflation as an epidemic.
Some of the increased airfare rates for return tickets purchased on January 28th for an early morning return on the 30th are listed below:
Chennai-Prayagraj: Over Rs 53,000
Kolkata-Prayagraj: Over Rs 35,500
Hyderabad/Mumbai/Delhi-Prayagraj: Over Rs 47,500
Bengaluru-Prayagraj: Over Rs 51,000
Sources with the supervising authority expect airlines to present a detailed description of ticket sales within particular price partitions. Sources suggest that the majority of flights to Prayagraj have been booked in advance with a few seats remaining, which the airlines are now selling at a high price.
Earlier, having already sanctioned 81 additional flights, the DGCA had immensely increased Prayagraj’s connectivity to 132 flights all across India in January. Demand has been far exceeding capacity in the current climate.
Pilgrim Town’s panic pricing galas on each of the most significant bathing dates, such as the following:
February 3rd (Basant Panchmi) [starts early morning after Sadhu Parade Day]
February 12th (Maghi Purnima) [Begins after Dola Yatra Day]
February 26th (Maha Shivratri; last day of Kumbh Mela)
Example of the double trip to Prayagraj on the 14th of February with a two-day return:
Delhi-Prayagraj: Over Rs 33,000
Hyderabad/Chennai/Kolkata-Prayagraj: Over Rs 40,000
Mumbai/Bengaluru-Prayagraj: Over Rs 45,000
Approximately the DGCA, on January 23rd, had convened a meeting with the airlines within which they saw the possibility of raising the capacity, directed airlines to operate the regular services, and advised airlines to be sensitive toward charging rational fares. However, the current situation suggests no improvement, prompting the aviation secretary to call a desperate meeting. Both the airlines and the tourism industry are in high anticipation of the outcome of this meeting.
