Telugu pilgrims returning from Char Dham cough up double air fare to return

HYDERABAD: Telugu pilgrims returning from Char Dham yatra had to cough up over 100% of normal airfare due to sudden cancellation of Go First flights. The group completed their yatra and were scheduled to board a Go First flight from Delhi to Hyderabad on May 4, when the airline went bust.
“By the time we reached Rishikesh, we began receiving messages on cancellation of Go First flights after the company filed for insolvency. Apprehending a spike in airfare, we swiftly wrapped up our pilgrimage and came to Delhi en route to Hyderabad,” said P Laxman, who reached here late Wednesday.
Laxman, who runs his own business, said an additional 25,000 on fresh air tickets had drained him financially after spending over 50,000 on the yatra.
While the group comprised 20 members, 14 had booked Go First flights and all had to shell out between 10,500 and 13,000 to fly back to Hyderabad.
“Our tickets were booked for 5,900. Because of the cancellation, we were forced to cough up double the price. And we have no clue when we will get our refund for cancelled tickets,” said Pratap Kumar, who has a fireworks shop in the city.
“After facing harsh weather, particularly at Yamunotri and Kedarnath, we wanted to return home at the earliest. I bought tickets on the first available flight and now have to clear credit card dues,” he added.
Others were stranded for several days due to the flight cancellations. “We went on the pilgrimage a fortnight back. Some of us did not have money to book fresh tickets and were desperately trying to reach family members back home,” he said.
Some pilgrims from Telangana were forced to book tatkal train tickets to Hyderabad as the current air fares were beyond their budget. “They will be boarding their train on Friday,” said Laxman. Travel agents also confirmed the ordeal.
“We are helping them book fresh tickets, but prices have risen exponentially. Despite booking their tour months in advance, they are forced to shell out more because of an airline’s mistake,” said Nagesh Pampati, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India, Telangana and AP chapter.