HYDERABAD: With the Kumbh Mela gathering momentum, air fares to Prayagraj and Ayodhya have seen a four-fold rise from Hyderabad — exceeding fares to many international destinations.
While tickets to Singapore, Bangkok, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, or even destinations in the UAE are available for under 15,000, airlines are charging anywhere between 24,000 and 30,000 for a one-way commute to Ayodhya and Prayagraj, for the next few days of January.
The first week of February is also equally expensive with the prices touching 19,000 to 21,000. Barring one direct flight to Ayodhya, majority of these are one-stop connections.
In comparison, the current fare from Hyderabad to Bangkok is 12,500 while a one-way ticket to Kuala Lumpur is available for a little less than 15,000. Similarly, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and UAE fares hover in the 10,000 to 20,000 range.
Read more: Maha Kumbh stories
In fact, a round trip between Hyderabad and Colombo will cost a traveller less than 25,000 in the next few weeks.
‘Rush for 2nd Shahi Snan’
Travel agents attribute this surge to limited seat capacity on routes to Prayagraj and Ayodhya, coupled with an increased rush of pilgrims to Kumbh Mela because of the second ‘Shahi Snan’ (holy dip) planned for Jan 29.
“Pilgrims are willing to pay any amount for their trip. This rush is expected to persist till the end of Feb,” said Abdul Majeed Faheem, chairman of Travel Agents Federation of India (AP & Telangana). He added: “People are also spending between 15,000 and 20,000 a night for lodging near Prayagraj.”
Another local agent Moez Meghani from Max Travels said how he has booked tickets for about a 100 pilgrims leaving for Kumbh in the next few days — the exorbitant fares notwithstanding. “This rush is unprecedented. I am struggling to manage it,” he said.
Optimise fares: Flyers
Those unable to afford the costs urge airlines to increase their frequency and optimise the fares. “I was planning to visit Ayodhya to see the Ram temple and participate in the holy dip on Feb 3. But 30,000 one-way is too steep for me,” said K Vigneshwer Rao, a private bank employee from Secunderabad.
