Sangam boatmen fares hiked by 50 per cent

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Sangam boatmen fares hiked by 50 per cent

Friday, 20 December 2024 | PNS | Mahakumbh Nagar

Ahead of the Maha Kumbh, scheduled to take place on the banks of the Triveni in January 2025, there is good news for the boatmen of Sangam.

The Kumbh Mela Administration has approved a 50 per cent increase in their fares.

According to ADM, Maha Kumbh Mela, Vivek Chaturvedi, this decision follows prolonged demands from the boatmen and a fruitful discussion between the Prayagraj District Boatmen Association and the Mela administration.

Welcoming the move, Pappu Lal Nishad, president of the Prayagraj District Boatmen Association, emphasised that boat fares had remained unchanged for years, despite rising inflation.

He praised the administration’s decision as a significant step in favour of the boatmen’s welfare.

Following the fare hike, strict measures will be implemented to ensure that devotees are not overcharged. A revised list of boat fares is being prepared to maintain transparency, and it will be prominently displayed at all ghats and parking areas, according to the ADM.

Meanwhile, the administration has also restricted vehicle movement for devotees’ safety.

While motorboats remain prohibited, traditional boats can operate even on major bathing festival days.

Given the large crowds expected to gather at Triveni for holy dips during the Maha Kumbh, ensuring the safety of devotees is a top priority of the government.

SDM, Maha Kumbh Mela, Abhinav Pathak stated that decisions regarding boat operations during festivals will be based on weather and crowd conditions.

He added, “Currently, 1,455 boats are in operation at Sangam, but this number is expected to exceed 4,000 during Maha Kumbh as boats from neighbouring districts arrive. All boats will undergo safety inspections before being issued licences, and life jackets will be provided to boatmen. Additionally, every boatman will receive insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh.”