Purnia: Airfares to Purnia have risen sharply ahead of Durga Puja, with passengers returning from major cities facing fares two to three times higher than usual on several dates between October 12 and October 18.
The steepest increases have been reported on routes connecting Purnia with Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The surge comes as migrants from the Seemanchal and Kosi regions travel home for the festive period.
Delhi-Purnia Fare Crosses Rs 15,000
The Delhi-Purnia route has recorded one of the highest fares during the festive period. A ticket that normally costs around Rs 9,232 is priced at about Rs 15,200 for October 17.
On October 16, the fare is around Rs 10,800, according to the figures provided.
Kolkata Tickets See Sharp Increase
The Kolkata-Purnia route has also seen a substantial rise. The standard fare of around Rs 2,254 increases to Rs 5,700 on October 16 and October 18, while tickets for October 17 are priced at around Rs 7,400.
For October 12, the fare is listed at around Rs 2,800.
Hyderabad, Ahmedabad Fares Rise
Passengers travelling from Hyderabad to Purnia are also facing higher prices, with fares rising from a standard level of about Rs 6,349 to around Rs 8,000 on October 14 and Rs 12,000 on October 17.
On the Ahmedabad-Purnia route, where the standard fare is around Rs 6,929, tickets are listed at Rs 9,930 on October 14, Rs 10,800 on October 15 and Rs 11,800 on October 17.
Festive Demand Drives Prices
Local travel agent Ashish Kumar said seats on most flights for the festive dates are nearly fully booked. He attributed the higher prices to dynamic pricing as availability declines.
The introduction of direct flight services from Purnia Airport has made travel to major cities easier for residents of the Seemanchal and Kosi regions, particularly migrants returning home during major festivals.
However, the sharp increase in fares during the festive period is adding to travel costs for middle-class families living and working outside Bihar.
With demand expected to remain high around Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, passengers planning to travel to Purnia are facing significantly higher airfares than on regular days.
