Government Intervenes as Airfares Soar During Maha Kumbh
New Delhi—In an effort to address the alarming spike in airfare costs during the ongoing Maha Kumbh, the Union Aviation Secretary, Vumlunmang Vualnam, has scheduled an urgent meeting with airlines for Monday. This move comes in response to the substantial increase in flight prices to Prayagraj, the venue of this year’s religious pilgrimage.
The Surge in Airfares
Travel portals have reported a significant rise in airfares to Prayagraj, especially for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya snan (royal bath) on January 29. Return tickets from Chennai to Prayagraj are currently priced at over Rs 53,000 for the dates of January 28 and 30. Nearby cities like Kolkata see similar rates, with return trips costing around Rs 35,500. Flights originating from Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi are also experiencing escalations, priced at approximately Rs 47,500 each. Furthermore, flights from Bengaluru are even higher, reaching upwards of Rs 51,000.
Government’s Effort to Regulate
The Government’s strategy involves thorough evaluation of the airfare situation and discussions with relevant airlines. They are likely to inquire about the distribution of tickets across various price brackets, aiming to correct the current market dynamics.
“Given the sharp increase in demand, most flights are sold out, with only a handful of seats left at premium prices,” explained sources. “Though the DGCA recently approved an additional 81 flights in January, increasing Prayagraj connectivity to 132 routes across India, it has not been sufficient to meet the travel demands during the holy festival,” they added.
Extended Impact on Additional Festive Dates
Similar fare hikes are anticipated for the remaining important holy bathing dates. These include Basant Panchmi on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and the concluding Maha Shivratri on February 26. For these dates, travelers from Delhi will find return tickets priced from Rs 33,000 for the 14th and 16th. Additionally, flights from Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad will be priced between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000, while Delhi and Mumbai will be even higher, exceeding Rs 50,000.
Previous Government Initiatives
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had reinforced its efforts to mitigate the stringent situation on January 23rd. In a meeting with airlines, they urged the carriers to enhance capacity by adding more flights and to establish rational fare structures considering the mass influx of pilgrims.
Conclusion
The ongoing Maha Kumbh stands as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracting millions of devout pilgrims. While the event brings a significant boost to the local economy, the sudden spike in airfares could be detrimental to the influx of travelers. Therefore, government intervention is essential to prevent high costs from deterring the faithful.
Sources predict that the government’s upcoming interaction with airlines will focus on understanding the fare structures and looking into ways to balance supply and demand, ensuring affordable travel options for all pilgrims.
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