The aviation industry often witnesses a surge in fares during festival seasons, but the unprecedented hike in ticket prices for flights to Prayagraj amid the Mahakumbh Mela has forced many to seek alternative modes of transport. Much to the surprise of many, the fare for a one-way flight to London is currently cheaper than a ticket to Prayagraj. At present, a flight from Delhi to Prayagraj costs between Rs 13,000 and Rs 80,000—surpassing the price of a one-way ticket to London, which is priced at Rs 31,342.
Unusual Price Hikes During Kumbh Mela
Normally, flights from Delhi to Prayagraj cost between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000, but now travellers are facing significant price hikes. This situation is not limited to Delhi, with other major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru experiencing similar fare hikes.
Just a few days ago, a one-way ticket from Chennai to Prayagraj was priced at Rs 70,996. On peak bathing days during the Kumbh, ticket prices for Prayagraj range from Rs 18,000 to Rs 41,106.
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Rising Airfares Spark Debate In Parliament
The sudden and steep increase in airfare prices raised a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, where members compared the prices to the regular fares to London. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari pointed out that a ticket to London costs Rs 24,000, while a flight from Chennai to Prayagraj is priced over Rs 53,000 and from Bengaluru over Rs 51,000. He asked the government about steps it was taking to control these soaring prices.
Price Hikes For Key Bathing Dates
The fare increases are particularly notable on significant bathing dates such as Makar Sankranti (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12) and Maha Shivaratri (February 26). Some key bathing dates have already passed, but Maha Shivaratri is still to come. For instance, on January 31, the one-way ticket from Delhi to Prayagraj was priced at Rs 33,590, while the normal fare is usually around Rs 5,000.
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Political Leaders Demand Government Intervention
Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), criticising the unusually high airfare prices to Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela. He appealed to the central government to intervene and prevent airlines from exploiting devotees by charging exorbitant fares. Chadha urged that flight prices for those attending the Maha Kumbh be made more affordable for all devotees.
