Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has strongly criticized airlines for significantly hiking flight fares to Prayagraj during the ongoing Mahakumbh festival. Chadha highlighted that flight tickets, which usually cost around Rs 5,000-8,000, have surged to Rs 50,000-60,000 due to the increased demand. He urged the government to intervene and cap airfares to ensure that devotees can afford to attend the sacred event.
Chadha emphasized that the Mahakumbh is a significant spiritual event for millions of devotees, and it is unfair for airlines to exploit this occasion for profit. He called for affordable and accessible travel options for all devotees, so that the essence of the Mahakumbh, rooted in unity and spiritual equality, is preserved.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already directed airlines to increase capacity and rationalize fares for flights to Prayagraj. Additional flights have been approved to accommodate the surge in demand, but Chadha believes more needs to be done to ensure fair treatment for devotees.