Airlines hike fares as 115 trains cancelled

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 25

Taking advantage of the cancellation of trains and heavy rush of tourists and pilgrims in the state, the airlines have hiked the airfare to make more profit.

The Jammu-Delhi ticket is costing Rs 7,000-8,000. However, the Jammu-Srinagar ticket is costing more than Rs 14,000 per passenger.

The Railways has cancelled 115 trains on the route from May 24 to 31 for completion of double- laning of track from Suchi Pind to Jalandhar Cantonment, which led to cancellation of thousands of tickets. Out of 115 cancelled trains, 19 were Jammu-bound.

The cancellation of trains has affected thousands of passengers, including Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims and security persons from different parts of the country posted here. The passengers have no other option, but to travel by air or road.

Taking advantage of lesser mode of transport available during the peak tourist time in the state, all the airlines, including Air India, have hiked their fares by four to eight times.

The Jammu-Delhi airfare, which usually is between Rs 3,500 and 6,000, has become more than Rs 8,000 and Jammu-Srinagar airfare, which usually is Rs 2,000 to 3500, is now Rs 14,000 per passenger.

May-June is considered to be the peak season for tourism and pilgrimage for Jammu and Kashmir. More than 35,000 pilgrims are visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine these days, out of which most of the people prefer to travel by trains.

All the trains had been booked for May and June. Due to heavy rush most of the people had booked their tickets months before to get confirmed seats, but the cancelation of trains have spoiled their holiday trip and they are left with no other option but to drop the idea of travelling or buy air tickets on a higher price.