Rise in air fares keep Mahakumbh mela pilgrims from Hyderabad on edge; Chilkur priest slams airlines
Hyderabad: The steep rise in flight ticket prices to visit Prayagraj from Hyderabad for taking part in Mahakumbh mela is keeping many pilgrims on edge. Owing to non-availability of confirmed train tickets, most pilgrims are relying on flights to reach Prayagraj to take a holy dip. But the unprecedented rise in flight ticket prices is forcing many people to think twice before finalizing their tour plans. For instance, a pilgrim Teja from Begumpet checked the ticket prices online last week. A ticket for direct flight to Prayagraj was Rs.11,000 last week but when he checked today, it was Rs.30,149 for January 31. This left him in a dilemma on finalizing his tour plan. One more popular airline is charging Rs.28,736 from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad to Prayagraj for travelling on January 30 for a one-way trip. A group of private employees including a doctor from West Marredpally are planning to visit Prayagraj in the second week of February. But the spiraling flight ticket prices are keeping them on the edge. The group is also exploring the possibility of reaching Prayagraj from Delhi. They are planning to visit Delhi by flight and later hire a bus to reach Prayagraj. Chilkur Priest C S Rangarajan slammed airlines for causing inconvenience to devotees visiting the Mahakumbh Mela by charging exorbitant fares for flights to Prayagraj. In a speech to devotees at Chilkur released on social media, the priest urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the Prime Minister’s Office to take immediate action to address the issue. Rangarajan highlighted the sharp increase in airfares, with general class tickets reportedly priced 200 per cent to 700 per cent higher than usual. Calling the practice unfair and unethical, the priest said that the devotees travelling to and from the Mahakumbh are facing significant inconvenience, particularly as railway tickets are also in short supply. “While Indian Railways has expanded its services for passengers and kept fares reasonable, some airline companies are earning unfair money because of the surge in passengers. This is not a time to exploit devotees but an opportunity to showcase dedication and hospitality,” he explained. He added that the aviation companies should limit their fares and pay special attention to expanding their services and convenience of passengers. The priest added that airline companies do not take care of the ticket price of passengers visiting Kumbh mela and returning from there, then the Civil Aviation Ministry and other departments concerned should take immediate steps in this regard.
Hyderabad: The steep rise in flight ticket prices to visit Prayagraj from Hyderabad for taking part in Mahakumbh mela is keeping many pilgrims on edge.
Owing to non-availability of confirmed train tickets, most pilgrims are relying on flights to reach Prayagraj to take a holy dip. But the unprecedented rise in flight ticket prices is forcing many people to think twice before finalizing their tour plans.
For instance, a pilgrim Teja from Begumpet checked the ticket prices online last week. A ticket for direct flight to Prayagraj was Rs.11,000 last week but when he checked today, it was Rs.30,149 for January 31. This left him in a dilemma on finalizing his tour plan.
One more popular airline is charging Rs.28,736 from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad to Prayagraj for travelling on January 30 for a one-way trip. A group of private employees including a doctor from West Marredpally are planning to visit Prayagraj in the second week of February.
But the spiraling flight ticket prices are keeping them on the edge. The group is also exploring the possibility of reaching Prayagraj from Delhi. They are planning to visit Delhi by flight and later hire a bus to reach Prayagraj.
Chilkur Priest C S Rangarajan slammed airlines for causing inconvenience to devotees visiting the Mahakumbh Mela by charging exorbitant fares for flights to Prayagraj.
In a speech to devotees at Chilkur released on social media, the priest urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the Prime Minister’s Office to take immediate action to address the issue.
Rangarajan highlighted the sharp increase in airfares, with general class tickets reportedly priced 200 per cent to 700 per cent higher than usual. Calling the practice unfair and unethical, the priest said that the devotees travelling to and from the Mahakumbh are facing significant inconvenience, particularly as railway tickets are also in short supply.
“While Indian Railways has expanded its services for passengers and kept fares reasonable, some airline companies are earning unfair money because of the surge in passengers. This is not a time to exploit devotees but an opportunity to showcase dedication and hospitality,” he explained.
He added that the aviation companies should limit their fares and pay special attention to expanding their services and convenience of passengers.
The priest added that airline companies do not take care of the ticket price of passengers visiting Kumbh mela and returning from there, then the Civil Aviation Ministry and other departments concerned should take immediate steps in this regard.
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