The only city that has seen fares drop from INR 6,000 to INR 5,000 is Patna. That is because the violence in Bihar has led to people postponing their travel plans to the state
The burning of trains and violence on platforms across north India has led to cancellation of multiple trains has pushed up airfares across the board to most cities in north and west India, according to ToI.
In fact, the only city that has seen fares drop from INR 6,000 to INR 5,000 is Patna. That is because the violence in Bihar has led to people postponing their travel plans to the state.
Fares to almost all other cities in the north and west have gone up by 10-15 per cent. Lucknow has seen fares shoot up from INR 7,000 to more than INR 8,000 following the Agnipath protests that have seen many trains set ablaze in Uttar Pradesh.
“We are hoping the flare-up in violent agitations over the Agnipath scheme abates soon to temper fares. School holidays are over and this should be the off-peak season when fares are low. Yet, the fares are at a record high this time of the year.”
— Anil Punjabi, Travel Agents’ Federation of India Chairman (East)
Fares to Delhi that have trains travelling through Bihar and UP have also seen an increase from INR 8,000 to INR 9,000. Mumbai, where fares were hovering around INR 8,000, has seen a hike of around INR 2,000. Fares to Ahmedabad that were around the INR 8,000-mark have jumped to around INR 10,000. According to Travel Agents Association of India Chairman (East) Manav Soni, the current scenario of violent protests has had a toll on travel and tourism. Since train journeys have become largely unreliable and uncertain due to delays and cancellations, those who have to travel have been opting for flights and that is pushing up airfares.
In fact, the recent far hike has added to already high airfares. Flights to Delhi and Lucknow were around the INR 5,000-6,000-mark till last year but the hike in fuel prices has seen fares rise by 40-50 per cent.
Travel Agents’ Federation of India Chairman (East) Anil Punjabi was quoted saying: “We are hoping the flare-up in violent agitations over the Agnipath scheme abates soon to temper fares. School holidays are over and this should be the off-peak season when fares are low. Yet, the fares are at a record high this time of the year.”
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