PMA to introduce golf carts, HOHO bus service for comfortable, inclusive tourism
Prayagraj: With the rise in footfall to the Sangam City post
Maha Kumbh
, the Prayagraj Mela Authority (
PMA
) is going to launch a specialised golf cart service and 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service to enhance the comfort and convenience of pilgrims and tourists visiting this sacred destination.To offer an efficient and eco-friendly travel option, the golf cart service will be launched to assist elderly visitors and those with disabilities.
PMA is also planning to commence a 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service, connecting Prayagraj Junction to significant tourist spots and religious destinations across the city at reasonable fares. The authorities have already floated Requests for Proposal (RFP) to implement the two new services. Proposals for both the initiatives are open until May 15.According to officials, PMA plans to introduce golf carts for transport across key sites like Sangam banks, Bade Hanumanji temple corridor and Akshayvat temple. At least 20 golf carts with a minimum seating capacity of eight, including the driver, will be deployed, excluding vehicles like e-rickshaws or autos. The selected agency will also be responsible for developing fast-charging infrastructure.Since the Maha Kumbh 2025, the number of devotees visiting Prayagraj has risen by 10–15%, with many facing challenges in accessing temples due to expensive transport or long walking distance. The planned services aim to resolve these issues and promote inclusive tourism.PMA is also acquiring trash skimmers and specialised boats designed to clear aquatic weeds and floating waste from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers near Sangam. To enhance safety and convenience for bathers, floating jetties with changing facilities are being set up. These jetties will be repositioned during the Mela using a towing vessel, and will be moved to secure locations before the flood period begins.
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Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
PMA to introduce golf carts, HOHO bus service for comfortable, inclusive tourism
Prayagraj: With the rise in footfall to the Sangam City post Maha Kumbh , the Prayagraj Mela Authority ( PMA ) is going to launch a specialised golf cart service and 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service to enhance the comfort and convenience of pilgrims and tourists visiting this sacred offer an efficient and eco-friendly travel option, the golf cart service will be launched to assist elderly visitors and those with disabilities. PMA is also planning to commence a 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service, connecting Prayagraj Junction to significant tourist spots and religious destinations across the city at reasonable fares. The authorities have already floated Requests for Proposal (RFP) to implement the two new services. Proposals for both the initiatives are open until May to officials, PMA plans to introduce golf carts for transport across key sites like Sangam banks, Bade Hanumanji temple corridor and Akshayvat temple. At least 20 golf carts with a minimum seating capacity of eight, including the driver, will be deployed, excluding vehicles like e-rickshaws or autos. The selected agency will also be responsible for developing fast-charging the Maha Kumbh 2025, the number of devotees visiting Prayagraj has risen by 10–15%, with many facing challenges in accessing temples due to expensive transport or long walking distance. The planned services aim to resolve these issues and promote inclusive is also acquiring trash skimmers and specialised boats designed to clear aquatic weeds and floating waste from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers near Sangam. To enhance safety and convenience for bathers, floating jetties with changing facilities are being set up. These jetties will be repositioned during the Mela using a towing vessel, and will be moved to secure locations before the flood period begins.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sangam city enhances pilgrim comfort amid rising footfall
Sangam, the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati—which hosts the Kumbh Mela and is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year to its banks—is set to witness a major fillip to visitor-friendly services. A view of the Sangam area in Prayagraj (HT) The Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) has begun steps to introduce golf carts for the benefit of tourists and visitors, especially the aged and the differently abled, to visit various sites on the Sangam banks, including the banks of the sacred confluence, the Bade Hanuman temple corridor, the Akshayvat temple, etc. A 'Hop On-Hop Off' (HOHO) bus service, too, is set to be started by PMA to take visitors from Prayagraj Junction to all key tourist and religious attractions of Prayagraj at affordable rates. Requests for Proposal (RFP) for both these new initiatives have already been floated, with proposals invited till May 15, shared Vijay Kiran Anand, Mela Adhikari, PMA. 'Both services are now necessary to promote tourism in Prayagraj city. Our effort is to provide comfort and ease to every visitor coming here,' he added. After the Mahakumbh-2025, the number of devotees visiting Prayagraj has increased by 10 to 15%, claim officials. A large number of these devotees are elderly and some are differently abled. After somehow reaching Sangam, they often face a lot of difficulty in going to the temples. Many times, the vehicles they take are expensive and they have to walk for several kilometres. The golf carts would resolve this issue, they maintained. Officials said that the PMA seeks to engage agencies to provide, operate, and maintain a minimum of 20 golf carts in the Sangam area. The selected vendor shall operate golf carts with a minimum seating capacity of 8 (including the golf cart driver). E-rickshaws, three-wheelers, auto rickshaws, etc., shall not be considered as golf carts. The selected vendor will need to develop charging infrastructure with fast-charging capabilities, they shared. Likewise, qualified service providers have been invited to submit proposals for engagement of an agency for providing the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus service for key tourist destinations within Prayagraj. This service aims to provide convenient, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation options for tourists visiting major attractions in the city, said officials. This service will cater to tourists visiting the major attractions within the city, ensuring ease of access and a seamless experience for both local and international tourists, with the help of a fleet of buses operating on designated routes connecting prominent tourist sites, said officials. Meanwhile, PMA has also begun the process for acquiring trash skimmers and waste removal boats embellished with aquatic weed removal features for collecting floating waste and weeds on the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna near Sangam, as well as a towing boat. PMA has procured floating jetties with changing rooms which are to be arranged at Sangam to provide people with platforms for having a safe and secure bathing experience. A towing boat serves as a practical solution to tow the jetty platforms to the desired location during the Mela and move the jetties back to a safe location before the start of the flood, said officials.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
During Mahakumbh, Ayodhya leads as most preferred spiritual destination: Survey
Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi have emerged as the most preferred spiritual and tourist destinations among both Indian and international visitors, according to a survey conducted during the Mahakumbh 2025. The survey, commissioned by the department of tourism and culture and conducted by Deloitte, a global consulting and advisory firm, captured insights from over 3.5 lakh pilgrims, shedding light on travel trends and economic contributions linked to spiritual tourism. In terms of overall favourites, Ayodhya led with 22.55% of respondents naming it as their top choice. Sangam in Prayagraj followed at 19.96%, while Varanasi received 12.72% of the votes. Mathura stood at 6.31%, and Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar at 2.67%. A total of 3,52,388 pilgrims participated in the survey, including 1,093 foreign tourists from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Nepal, Australia, and Fiji. Minister of tourism and culture Jaiveer Singh, announcing the findings, said, the data collection for the 'Maha Kumbh Spiritual Survey–2025' took place from January 28 to February 26, at multiple points in Prayagraj including Teliarganj, Jhunsi, Arail, and Parade Ground. 'The initiative aims to identify key pilgrimage locations for focused development in coming years,' he said. Findings show that each pilgrim spent an average of ₹5,877.63 during their visit, contributing notably to the state's economy. The cumulative expenditure points to a major boost in Uttar Pradesh's tourism-led GDP during the Mahakumbh period). The study also revealed distinct travel preferences. Among domestic pilgrims, 40% travelled with their families, while 30.88% journeyed alone and 29.13% came with friends. In comparison, 55.26% of foreign tourists travelled solo. Only 24.43% of international visitors were accompanied by family and 20.31% by friends. These patterns help understand the kind of infrastructure and services that might be required at different pilgrimage sites. When asked about the last spiritual site visited, 27.32% of respondents named Ayodhya, followed by 22.68% who cited the Sangam in Prayagraj. Varanasi was the last visited destination for 8.81% of pilgrims, while 3.21% had been to Jammu & Kashmir and 3.05% to Mathura. Looking ahead, 32.57% of pilgrims said they intend to visit the Sangam in Prayagraj next. Ayodhya is on the future travel list for 12.46% of respondents, while 7.46% chose Varanasi, 3.77% selected Mathura, and 3.20% mentioned Akshardham as their upcoming destination.
