What’s inside:
This article talks about the travel situation for Bihar residents during Diwali and Chhath, covering flight and train ticket availability.
As the festive season approaches, many people from Bihar living in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are eager to return home for Diwali on October 20 and Chhath Puja on October 27. This has led to a serious shortage of train and flight tickets to Patna and Darbhanga, making travel quite challenging for many.
Flight fares to Patna have skyrocketed, reaching up to Rs 30,000, while train waiting lists exceed 100 passengers. To ease this pressure, Indian Railways introduced special trains, but the demand remains high, and the situation hasn’t improved much.
In response to the high demand, airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet plan to operate 200 extra flights to Patna. However, even with this increase, ticket prices are still significantly high, which may not help everyone looking to travel home.
On a positive note, Darbhanga Airport will see an increase in flights, with 34 aircraft scheduled under the winter timetable. New slots have been allocated to various airlines like Akasa Air and Air India Express, which will improve flight options for passengers traveling to Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai.
The airport currently operates for eight hours, with a proposal to extend this to 12 hours under review. If approved, this will allow for more flights and better services, making it easier for travelers during the festive season. Many hope these changes will help ease their journey back to Bihar.
Summary:
- High demand for tickets to Bihar for Diwali and Chhath.
- Flight fares to Patna have increased to Rs 30,000.
- Airlines are adding 200 extra flights to meet demand.
- Darbhanga Airport will operate 34 flights under winter schedule.
- Proposal to extend airport operations to 12 hours is under consideration.
