By Ashvini Ranjan
The line for taxis at the Prayagraj airport stretched endlessly, filled with weary travellers eager to reach the Kumbha Mela. The distance to the city was a mere fifteen kilometres, yet the taxi fare stood stiff at Rs. 2,500. “No guarantee you will reach Prayagraj, Sir,” cautioned the man at the counter, as if issuing a prophecy of doom. Traffic could be impenetrable. Should that happen, an alternate mode of transport — an e-rickshaw or even a motorbike taxi — might become necessary. Those ahead of us in the queue accepted these terms without protest, either too eager or for want of an alternative.
