Cricket enthusiasts are excited as the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia approaches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, the feverish anticipation has extended beyond the stadium grounds, infiltrating air travel and stirring up a storm in the skies.
Soaring Airfares: A Six-Fold Surge
Fans from various corners of the country, especially Hyderabad, are scrambling to witness the epic clash live. Consequently, airfares from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad have skyrocketed, reaching astonishing heights. While a typical flight between the two cities costs around Rs 6,000 – Rs 7,000, the World Cup fervor has pushed prices to an eye-watering Rs 40,000 on Saturday. Even connecting flights from Hyderabad have touched an astronomical Rs 73,000 on Friday, leaving cricket enthusiasts grappling with sticker shock.
Challenging Affordability
For passionate cricket aficionados, the surge in airfares poses a significant challenge. The exorbitant costs, sometimes multiple times higher than the match ticket itself, have sparked concerns among fans. C Satya, a cricket enthusiast, voiced the collective sentiment: “It becomes challenging for individuals to afford higher airfares to attend the finals, which are multiple times costlier than a match ticket. Airlines should consider operating more flights in this kind of situation.”
Return Journey Woes
The financial strain doesn’t end with a one-way trip. Return journey fares are equally staggering, with a post-final ticket cost of Rs 44,999 on Monday. This means that fans eager to witness the cricketing spectacle in Ahmedabad will have to shell out a hefty sum of Rs 85,000 for a roundtrip between Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
Ticket Hunt On Social Media
In the midst of the airfare turmoil, some fans have turned to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) in search of budget-friendly match tickets. ‘Prince in exile,’ a user, tweeted, “Hello all, I need three tickets for the World Cup final within a budget of 10,000 each. If anyone happens to have them, please message.” The quest for affordable tickets adds another layer of drama to the cricket frenzy.
Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium
The epicenter of this cricketing extravaganza, the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, boasts a colossal seating capacity of 1.3 lakh spectators. Enthusiasts from diverse parts of the country, including Hyderabad, are making the pilgrimage to Ahmedabad to witness history unfold. Recognizing the demand, airline companies charged a staggering Rs 70,000 for connecting flights from Hyderabad on Friday, eclipsing fares in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi.
Railways In The Game: Special World Cup Trains
Recognizing the surge in travel demand, the Indian Railways is stepping up its game by running special World Cup trains for cricket fans traveling from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. The Central Railway revealed details of these special trains. Thus offering a convenient travel option for those seeking an alternative to the soaring airfares.
Train Service Details
- Train 01153: CSMT-Ahmedabad Special Express
- Departure: CSMT at 10.30 pm on November 18
- Arrival: Ahmedabad at 06.40 am on November 19
- Train 01154: Ahmedabad – CSMT Special Express
- Departure: Ahmedabad at 01.45 am on November 20
- Arrival: CSMT at 10.35 am on November 20
- Halts: CSMT, Dadar, Thane, Vasai, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad
The excitement spills beyond the boundary lines as the cricketing world gears up for the grand finale. Thus intertwining with the challenges and adventures of travel. For fans, the journey to witness the World Cup climax is proving to be as exhilarating and unpredictable as the game itself.
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