Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has announced a 50% reduction in airfare for passengers traveling to the Kumbh Mela. The revised fares came into effect today following government directives to airlines.
Before implementing the fare cut, the government held three meetings with airline companies, emphasizing the historic significance of the event, which occurs once in 140 years. However, steps have been taken to ensure airlines do not face financial losses.
Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had urged airlines to rationalize fares for flights to Prayagraj. On January 23, DGCA officials met with airline representatives regarding this matter. Additionally, 81 extra flights were approved in January to manage the surge in demand. With airlines like SpiceJet increasing their operations, the total number of flights to and from Prayagraj has now reached 132.
Despite this, airfare had previously surged drastically, with Delhi-Prayagraj ticket prices spiking 21 times the usual rate.
The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will conclude on February 26. So far, the festival has witnessed a massive footfall of over 199.4 million devotees. A temporary city spanning 4,000 hectares has been set up along the riverbanks, featuring 150,000 tents and an equal number of toilets to accommodate visitors. The event recently saw a stampede due to overcrowding at key bathing ghats.
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