The union tourism ministry is activating a multi-lingual helpline and airlines are planning extra flights to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela starting January 13.

Government-owned Alliance Air will be operating eleven weekly flights to Prayagraj from Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jabalpur and Kolkata. While flights from Kolkata will be operated five times, all other cities will have one weekly frequency to Prayagraj.

“We expect all our flights will be full,” said Alliance Air CEO Rambabu Ch.

IndiGo too has sought approval for additional flights to Prayagraj to cater to high travel demand. The airline did not comment.

On Saturday, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and department secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam reviewed the airport’s preparedness to handle the extra rush of passengers during the Kumbh Mela period.

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“We are not only building new airports but also enhancing the capacity of existing ones to meet the growing demands of air travel,” Naidu said in a X post.

Passenger handling capacity at Prayagraj airport has increased from 350 per hour to 850 per hour with the addition of extra check-in counters and x-ray machines. The number of aircraft parking bays has increased from four to seven and these are expected to commissioned this month after regulatory approval. Currently, Prayagraj airport operates from dawn to dusk and handles 14 flights (arrivals plus departures) daily. During the mela period the airport will function 24/7, an Airport Authority of India official said.

The Kumbh Mela will bring together millions of devotees between January 13 to February 28. Footfalls are expected to be highest on six occasions including Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti which are considered significant for bathing rituals. 

“We are setting up a multilingual helpline for foreign tourists to help them with all information regarding Kumbh Mela. The dedicated helpline will be manned by 50 staff members who are being trained to handle different types of queries. The helpline is expected to start soon. Additionally the tourism ministry will be setting up a pavilion at Prayagraj during the mela to facilitate VIPs and foreign tourists visiting the city,” said Mugdha Sinha, director general of tourism.

Beautification of temples and basic amenities for tourists are being arranged by Uttar Pradesh tourism department. Around 40,000 police personnel will be deployed and parking facilities will be available for five lakh vehicles. Luxury tents and public shelters consisting of 25,000 beds are being set up.

Varanasi hotels see demand boost 

For hotels in Varanasi it will be an extended peak season given the city’s close proximity to Prayagraj.

“We are observing uptick in demand in both our hotels in Varanasi – Ramada Varanasi Katesar and Ramada JHV. The absence of branded hotels in Allahabad means Varanasi becoming the central hub for visitors attending the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj,” said Sakshi Sehdev Dogra, head of sales and marketing (Eurasia), Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. 

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“Both our hotels, Taj Ganges and Nadesar Palace in Varanasi are witnessing heavy demand during this period. We will also be undertaking food and beverage hospitality services during the event,” said Parveen Chander, executive vice president (commercial), IHCL.

Travel companies too are cashing on the demand. Apart from organising guided tours to spiritual landmarks, companies are offering add on options such as stay at wellness resorts, cultural experiences , said Ved Khanna, president of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India.