New Delhi [India]: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha has accused airlines of exploiting Mahakumbh devotees by charging exorbitant fares for flights to Prayagraj, with ticket prices surging from the usual ₹5,000-₹8,000 to an astounding ₹50,000-₹60,000.
In a video message shared on social media, Chadha called the fare hike unacceptable and urged the central government to intervene and cap prices to ensure devotees are not burdened financially.
“Mahakumbh is the largest spiritual gathering for Sanatan Dharma, attracting millions of devotees from around the world. However, airlines are exploiting this occasion by drastically increasing fares. Such profiteering is unacceptable, and I urge the government to act swiftly to protect the interests of devotees,” Chadha said.
Chadha drew attention to his earlier successful efforts in Parliament to address overpriced food at airport canteens, which led to the introduction of affordable options. He expressed hope that similar action would be taken to regulate flight fares.
In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken steps to address the issue. On January 23, DGCA officials met with airlines, urging them to increase capacity and rationalise fares. Following the meeting, 81 additional flights were approved for January, bringing the total to 132 flights to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh.
Several airlines have already ramped up operations:
- SpiceJet introduced direct flights to Prayagraj from Guwahati, Chennai, and Hyderabad starting January 24.
- Akasa Air added special flights from Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru via Delhi, alongside its daily services from Mumbai.
These measures aim to alleviate the burden on devotees and ensure affordable travel options for the millions expected to participate in the Mahakumbh, a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual event held after 144 years.
Further developments are awaited as DGCA and airlines monitor the situation.