The aftermath of the tragic stampede on the night of Mauni Amavasya at the Mahakumbh has had a significant impact on the fair and the city’s economy. The number of incoming devotees has declined sharply, affecting businesses across sectors.
Shopkeepers report a steep drop in sales, with losses reaching up to 40 percent. Similarly, flight ticket prices have plummeted by 40 percent as demand has waned. Hoteliers, who had raised room tariffs ahead of Mauni Amavasya, have been forced to slash prices following widespread cancellations of advance bookings.
Due to the prevailing uncertainty, fewer pilgrims from other states are traveling to Prayagraj. As a result, hotel bookings have witnessed a significant decline. The city, home to around 250 small and large hotels, also hosts a temporary tent city in the Sangam area. Prior to Mauni Amavasya, accommodation rates in these areas had surged by 20 to 30 percent. However, with the drop in footfall, rates have been revised downward. In other parts of the city, hotel tariffs remain unchanged, but occupancy levels remain low.
Hotel and Restaurant Association President Harjendra Singh confirmed the downturn. “After the stampede, hotel bookings were canceled, and guests have asked us to notify them once the situation stabilizes. Nearly 50 percent of our bookings were scrapped, causing substantial financial loss,” Singh told this reporter. He expressed hope that the pilgrimage rush during Basant Panchami might help revive the struggling hospitality sector.
Jaswinder Bhatia, a hotelier, pointed out that increased security measures at Prayagraj’s entry points have worsened the situation. “The police have restricted vehicular entry into the city, preventing tourists from driving in with their families. People are unwilling to carry luggage on foot after parking at the borders, leading to more cancellations,” he said.
Travel and Tourism Sector Faces Setback: The tour and travel industry has also suffered. The sudden imposition of route diversions and traffic restrictions in the wake of the stampede has discouraged visitors. When the incident occurred between January 28-29, authorities sealed Prayagraj’s borders on January 29. The news spread quickly, deterring pilgrims from across the country.
While Prayagraj District Magistrate later clarified on January 31 that roads were not closed but merely diverted, the damage had already been done. Heavy traffic congestion at the city’s borders continues to hamper travel plans.
Upendra Yadav, owner of Pragati Travels, reported a sharp decline in business. “Since the stampede, tourists have been leaving earlier than planned. Many who booked four-day trips are cutting them short to just two days. Additionally, three Ayodhya and two Varanasi tour packages were canceled due to long traffic jams at Jhunsi Bridge, where police have diverted vehicles,” he said.
Ravi Tiwari, owner of Shri Tiwari & Brothers Tour and Travels, highlighted disruptions in rail travel. “Trains were halted outside Prayagraj, and passengers were unable to reach their destination. Rumors of Prayagraj’s entry-exit closure led to mass cancellations, causing heavy losses to our business,” he added.
Prayagraj currently operates 132 flights connecting it to cities across India. On Mauni Amavasya, ticket prices from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Kolkata had surged to between `25,000 and `50,000. However, following the stampede, the number of travelers dropped drastically, prompting airlines to reduce fares.
At present, flights from Delhi to Prayagraj are available for `10,000-`12,000, while those from Mumbai range between `16,000-`22,000. Tickets from Ahmedabad now cost between `13,000 and `20,000. The Civil Aviation Ministry’s intervention has also played a role in stabilizing ticket prices.
Over 5,000 shopkeepers operate in the Mahakumbh fair area. The decline in footfall has led to a drastic drop in sales. A bag seller near Sangam Nose lamented, “Sales have fallen by 60 percent. The crowd is much smaller than expected, and business is suffering.”
Post Basant Panchami the footfall has gone up, but question remains whether it would be enough to recover Prayagraj’s economy. On Friday, government claims 78 lakh people had visited Kumbh mela area. “It is a good sign. Let’s see what happens,” Harjinder Singh said.