Mahakumbh Profiteering: 87% of those who took a flight to Mahakumbh paid 50-300% more for the air ticket; 67% also paid 50-300% more for accommodation and transportation, boat etc.

February 22, 2025, New Delhi: After escalation by LocalCircles on January 28th where 8 in 10 passengers looking to book Mahakumbh air travel confirmed that the airlines were charging 300-600% of regular fares, the Civil Aviation and Consumer Affairs Ministries jumped to action. By February 2nd, the Delhi-Prayagraj fares had droped from INR 40,000 to INR 15,000. However, the drop was short lived and again fares rose on February 11th.

Later that day, MP Pramod Tiwari drew attention to the exorbitant airfares charged for travel to Prayagraj in the Parliament. Accusing airline operators of exploiting religious sentiments for profit, Tiwari argued that these prices effectively amount to “looting” the public under the guise of faith and tradition. The MP noted that the fare from Chennai to Prayagraj stands at INR 53,000, a round-trip between Kolkata and Prayagraj are priced at INR 35,000, while fares from Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai have soared to INR 47,500 during ongoing mela. Tiwari challenged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu’s contention in parliament that the high airfares were purely “demand-driven”. It was not only the airfares to and from Prayagraj that have risen sharply but also stay in hotels in the city and tents pitched near the ghats and the boat rides, as many desired to take a dip in the river where there is more depth. The hike in prices was most during the auspicious days when thousands surge to take a holy dip in Sangam. For instance, during Mauni Amavasya in Maha Kumbh on January 29, the accommodation costs surged dramatically. Private tents and hotels increased their rates nearly threefold, raising concerns about affordability for pilgrims. Hotel rates, which had already gone up because of Kumbh from INR 2,500-3,000 to the range of INR 6,000 to INR 7,000, spiked further to over INR 22,000 for Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami Snan or Maghi Purnima Snan. Similarly, private tent rentals rose from INR 15,000 to a staggering INR 45,000 per night. For those seeking a luxurious stay, a special luxury cottage for three nights cost INR 2.40 lakh, while the accommodation in Dome City costs up to INR 91,000. These packages include essential amenities such as breakfast and other meals.

As the Mahakumbh draws to a close on February 26, LocalCircles has conducted a nationwide survey to gather feedback from those who travelled to Mahakumbh about the charges they paid for air ticket, accommodation and transportation. The survey received over 49,000 responses from Mahakumbh travellers and located in 303 districts of India. 62% respondents were men while 38% respondents were women. 44% respondents were from tier 1, 25% from tier 2 and 31% respondents were from tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts.

87% of air travelers to Mahakumbh surveyed confirm paying 50-300% over the regular airfare

The survey asked those travelled by air to Prayagraj, “When you or your family members went to Mahakumbh, how much more did you pay than regular prices for air tickets?” Out of 16,215 who responded to the question only 13% stated that they “did not pay additional, just regular airfare”; 38% of respondents however stated that they “paid 50-100% more than regular fare”; 12% of respondents stated they “paid 100-200% more than regular fare”; 12% said they “paid 200-300% more than regular fare” and 25% of respondents stated they “paid over 300% more than regular fare”. To sum up, 87% of air travelers to Mahakumbh surveyed confirm paying 50-300% over the regular airfare.

67% of those who visited Mahakumbh and availed of rental accommodation (room, tent, etc.) and surveyed confirm paying 50-300% over the regular rent

While it is quite normal for hotel rates to go up during the holiday and festive season, but during Mahakumbh the rates seem to have surged more particularly on special days, when despite the high prices there are hardly any options available. The survey asked people who have recently visited Mahakumbh mela, “When you or your family members went to Mahakumbh, how much more did you pay than regular prices for accommodation like tents, hotel rooms, lodges, etc.?” Out of 16,549 who responded to the question 26% stated they “did not pay additional, just regular rate”. However, 14% of respondents stated they “paid up to 50% more than regular rate”; 14% of respondents stated they “paid 50-100% more than regular rate”; 7% of respondents stated they “paid 100-200% more than regular rate”; 14% of respondents said they “paid 200-300% more than regular rate”; 18% said they “paid over 300% more than regular rate” and 7% of respondents did not give a clear answer.

66% of those who visited Mahakumbh and availed of local transportation services, boat ride etc. and surveyed confirm paying 50-300% over the regular rate

During periods of high demand, transport services charges rise steeply, which has reportedly been the case at Prayagraj during Mahakumbh. The survey asked those who visited Prayagraj about transportation costs, “When you or your family members went to Mahakumbh, how much more did you pay than regular prices for local transportation and boat ride etc.?” Out of 16,512 who responded to the question 22% stated that they “did not pay additional, just regular rate”. However, 6% of respondents stated they “paid up to 50% more than regular rate”; 6% of respondents stated they “paid 50-100% more than regular rate”; 16% said they “paid 100-200% more than regular rate”; 22% said they “paid 200-300% more than regular rate”; 12% said they “paid over 300% more than regular rate” and 12% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 66% of those who visited Mahakumbh and availed of local transportation services, boat ride, etc. and surveyed confirm paying 50-300% over the regular rate.

In summary, Uttar Pradesh as the host state and Prayagraj successfully rose to the occasion to host the world’s biggest religious event of its kind but businesses like airlines, hotels/tents, local transportation services did take advantage of the devotee enthusiasm and in many cases, profiteered. The administration should have anticipated the major rush and accordingly brought in regulations or price capping to limit such profiteering.

The LocalCircles study found that 87% of air travelers to Mahakumbh confirmed paying 50-300% over the regular airfare. 67% of those who visited Mahakumbh and availed of rental accommodation (room, tent, etc.) and surveyed confirmed paying 50-300% over the regular rent. The experience of pilgrims got worse as 66% of those who visited Mahakumbh and availed of local transportation services, boat ride etc. and those surveyed confirmed paying 50-300% over the regular rate. As visit to Sangam or Triveni, confluence of three rivers, is part of most Hindu devotee’s wish list. Given a chance, they visit Prayagraj more than once and as such many are aware of the normal rates of hotels and transport. The survey brings to the fore how for the important events like this or even regular Kumbh melas there is a need to regulate charges for air travel, accommodation and local transportation. According to most travellers who went to Mahakumbh, service providers making a profit is totally acceptable but what is not acceptable is the profiteering that took place during Mahakumbh.

Survey Demographics

The survey received over 49,000 responses from those who travelled to Mahakumbh and located in 303 districts of India. 62% respondents were men while 38% respondents were women. 44% respondents were from tier 1, 25% from tier 2 and 31% respondents were from tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.