With the flagging off of Train 18, the first fully made-in-India semi-high speed engine-less train on the Delhi to Varanasi route, airlines may be forced to rationalise fares on the route particularly for the Kumbh Mela enthusiasts.

The train has two stops — Kanpur and Allahabad. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is being held at the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad from mid-January to early March where lakhs of tourists are flocking to take a dip in the Ganga.

“Airfares to Allahabad and Varanasi had increased by almost 39 per cent during the key shnan (sacred bath) dates,” said Aloke Bajpai, CEO, ixigo, a hotel and travel booking portal. With the Train 18 now fully functional and the Kumbh Mela coming to an end, the airlines are likely to temper the skyrocketing prices to these destinations.

“I think the return fares will move down to around ₹10,000 for advance bookings and ₹15,000 for the last minute (bookings)” said Sharat Dhall, COO, Yatra Online, a large travel portal.

The train bookings for Train 18 have been open online and passengers can board the train from February 17. While the train takes about eight to nine hours to reach from Delhi to Varanasi, the flights take about 1 to 2 hours, discounting the time it takes for security clearance.

All other train tickets from Delhi to Allahabad were sold-out since last many weeks and passengers have been facing long waiting lists due to the Kumbh Mela that attracts national and international tourists. Airfare between Delhi and Varanasi for one way touched ₹9,000 during the period.

The Chair Car tickets in Train 18 are priced at ₹1,750 and executive seats at over ₹3,000. However, after the Kumbh euphoria is over, it remains to be seen how the Train 18 impacts the pricing of airlines in these routes. Bajpai pointed out that if booked three months in advance, an air ticket from Delhi to Varanasi is almost on par with train tickets of Vande Mataram Express Chair Car seat at below ₹1,900. It is only after the Kumbh Mela is over in March, the real dynamics of train to flight competition will surface between Delhi to Varanasi.

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