Devotees looted up to ₹5,000 by boatmen for a ride to Sangam

Police response: “If you don’t have money, walk”
Official fare is ₹150 per person, but boatmen are charging a minimum of ₹2,000

Passengers looted by boatmen to ferry devotees to Sangam

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), 11.2.2025 – The official government rate for a boat ride to Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbha Kshetra is ₹150 per devotee. However, private and government-licensed boatmen are openly violating this rule, charging exorbitant fares of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per person. Despite multiple pleas from devotees for fair charges, boat operators are ignoring them.

When police stationed at Sangam were asked about the issue, they insensitively responded, “If devotees don’t want to take a boat, they can walk”

₹10,000–₹12,000 demanded from a family of four

Long queues of devotees are forming at the boat stations, with waiting times stretching for hours. Reports indicate that families of four are being asked to pay ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 for a boat ride.

At Boat Club Ghat, Subhash Chandra Sharma, a devotee from Jammu and Kashmir, shared his ordeal, “We were charged ₹8,000 for four people just to take a boat from Boat Club to Triveni Ghat. Many boatmen are demanding ₹10,000–₹12,000.”

When journalists attempted to question the boat operators, they refused to respond. A stampede-like situation is developing whenever a boat arrives, with devotees struggling to secure a seat even after paying high fares.

Some boatmen are reportedly exchanging money mid-river to avoid getting caught, while fares are whispered to devotees before boarding. Those who speak about the excessive charges publicly are denied entry into the boats.

Police angered the devotees who complained

The administration has deployed police personnel to maintain order, but when devotees complain about the boatmen’s extortion, the police lashed out at the devotees instead.

When devotees approached Sub-Inspector Dinesh Kumar Mishra to file a complaint, he angrily responded, “If you don’t want to pay, then walk! We have no control over private boats.”

Complaints will be acted upon, claims Additional Magistrate Vivek Chaturvedi

When asked about the illegal overcharging by boatmen, Additional Magistrate Vivek Chaturvedi stated, “Charging more than the fixed fare is unauthorized. If any boatman demands excess money, devotees should file a complaint, and immediate action will be taken.”(If the boatmen’s open exploitation is happening in broad daylight, shouldn’t the police act on their own ? Expecting devotees to file complaints instead—doesn’t this reflect administrative irresponsibility ? – Editor)