Bus to Maha Kumbh reaches ‘30 hours late’, man wins Rs 22,000 from tour operators

The Chandigarh district consumer commission has ordered two tour operators to pay Rs 12,000 each to a passenger who experienced a 30-hour delay on a bus from Chandigarh to Prayagraj during the 2025 Maha Kumbh. The commission ruled that the extraordinary traffic and security restrictions during the festival did not absolve the tour operators from providing promised amenities, maintaining the bus, and informing passengers about changes in boarding arrangements.

The man claimed the bus arrived 30 hours late, did not provide promised water bottles and Wi-Fi, and made him deboard 15 km from the destination. He also faced additional expenses due to premature deboarding and a change in the return boarding point, leading to a Rs 2,000 auto fare. The commission acknowledged the delays were caused by the Maha Kumbh Mela's extraordinary traffic, security restrictions, and barricading, but held the tour operators accountable for failing to meet their service obligations.