Maha Kumbh stampede casts shadow on Prayagraj's hotel business; pilgrims cancel advance bookings

Nearly one-fourth hotel bookings made for the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj have been cancelled as a fallout of pre-dawn stampede near the Sangam which left 30 people dead and 60 injured, the Indian Express reported on Saturday.

According to the report, this has come as a major setback for business of restaurants, tour and travel operators, which is the main source of livelihood for large number of people in the city.

They fear the incident will have a negative impact on their business.

Harjendra Singh, president of Prayagraj Hotels and Restaurants Association, told that publication that around 25 percent of the guests who had earlier reserved rooms in different hotels of the city have cancelled their bookings. He said that guests also asked to inform them when the situation in the Kumbh area normalises.

Several outstation visitors who had booked rooms started making calls to cancel their reservations, another hotel owner told the publication. Those who had paid advance amounts requested the hotels to adjust the payment for future dates, he added.

As per the report, over 200 hotels are operating in Prayagraj. This also includes the ones that are set up specifically for the Maha Kumbh.

Although there is a noticeable decrease in the inflow of pilgrims, many pilgrims have again started making bookings for the Kumbh since the situation is getting back to normal, another hotel owner told the publication.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday conducted an aerial survey of Ayodhya to assess the arrangements as the city has been witnessing an unexpected surge in devotees.

A large number of pilgrims from the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj are also travelling to Ayodhya and Kashi for ‘darshan'.

The chief minister reviewed the situation and issued necessary directives to effectively manage the growing crowd, maintain smooth traffic flow, and further enhance facilities for devotees, the statement read.