Exorbitant airfare between Guwahati- Silchar, minister responds but fails to win hearts of people

May 18: Torrential rains in the last few days has resulted in rise of water level in all the major rivers of the state and several rivers are flowing above the danger level mark at many places in Assam. Barak Valley has been landlocked as both the roads and rail service has come to a halt due to multiple landslides. Meanwhile, the only option available for the people of Barak Valley now is to avail flight services. However, the price of air tickets were hiked to such an extent that has gone beyond the reach of the common people. way2barak gave a detailed report of the excessive airfare on 15 May.

On surfing the popular ticket portals, it came to surface that the price of air ticket on 16 May from Guwahati to Silchar (Air India) was priced at Rs 31,482; whereas, on 17 May, the price was fixed at Rs.28,622 (Air India). The fare of ticket on 18 May by SpiceJet is Rs.11,739. As regards, flight tickets from Silchar to Guwahati, the airfare was also much higher than the normal. The price of air tickets on 16 May from Silchar to Guwahati was fixed at Rs.11,413 (SpiceJet) and Rs.Rs.38,755 (IndiGo) [2 stop via Kolkata and New Delhi]. On 17 May, the ticket for Silchar to Guwahati by SpiceJet is fixed Rs.11,413, whereas, on 18 May, the fare is Rs.9,713.

It is therefore a grave matter which requires the attention of not only the Civil Aviation Ministry, but also the Government of Assam, the elected representatives from Barak Valley. On the immediate next day, that is, on 16 May, Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy tweeted, “With railways & roadways disrupted due to heavy rains and landslides I m stunned to see #silchar– #guwahati airfare reach 31000/- for a 25 min flight for 300km ! This issue of ticket pricing needs to be addressed immediately!” Dr Roy tagged in his post, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The very next day, that is, on 17 May, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia replied to the tweet of MP Dr Roy while responding to his observation about exorbitant airfare between Silchar to Guwahati and Guwahati to Silchar. Minister Scindia tweeted, “Clarifying that the Guwahati to Silchar route is subject to fare cap within 15 days of travel to ensure exorbitant fares are not charged from travellers. Have ascertained from airlines operating to Silchar that they are adhering to the directions.” He, however, in a second tweet wrote, “Even then, kindly refer specific cases to the #airsewa portal to ensure necessary redressal.” 

2/2 Even then, kindly refer specific cases to the #airsewa portal to ensure necessary redressal.

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 17, 2022

Since then, the social media has become replete of the response given by the Civil Aviation Minister. Netizens started troll the Union Minister. Many even regarded his response to be “absurd.” A netizen wrote, “When for travelling you need to purchase the ticket at a whooping price of Rs. 17,000, 18,000 or even 31,000 sound absurd. Whatever may be the explanation of fare-cap as stated by the Minister, but ultimately the common people has to now shell out a huge amount of money if they need to travel to Guwahati by fight from Silchar or vice versa. Probably for the minister spending Rs,30,000 for a air ticket from Guwahati to Silchar means a lot, but him it is a small amount!!!” Another netizen wrote, “Very disappointing reply.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, during a media briefing, Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar raised this pertinent issue. DC Jalli said, “As regards hike in the airfare, we have taken up the matter with the state, and the state is actively working on it. By tomorrow or day after tomorrow, government will announce their detailed plan in this regard.”

Also Read: As roads & rail service come to a halt, price of air tickets in Guwahati- Silchar route skyrockets