CHENNAI: Call it the Maha Kumbh effect. Transporters and truckers are witnessing up to 40% increase in trucking activity in the lead up to the Maha Kumbh. The just released Shriram Mobility Report has estimated a 30-40% spike in trucking activity to the Prayagraj in Dec 2024, spurred by preparations for the Maha Kumbh from Jan 13 to Feb 26. Other transporters say there has been a nearly 73% jump in truck rentals in the key Delhi-NCR to Prayagraj route with other north-based routes also reporting a sharp increase in rentals.
Y S Chakravarti, MD & CEO, Shriram Finance said: "The upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is driving a surge in trucking demand to that region, but restrictions during the event, until Feb 26, 2025 may temper this momentum." The Maha Kumbh demand surge contrasts with a tepid Dec when "truck rentals on major trunk routes remained steady and fleet occupancy levels continued to remain subdued," he added.
According to transporters, this surge has led to a sharp increase in truck rentals to Prayagraj. "Truck rentals have seen a sharp increase in the last three weeks. The Delhi to Prayagraj round trip used to cost Rs 22,000 just 20 days ago but now it costs Rs 38,000. However, there is no return load available at Prayagraj and trucks are returning via Lucknow and Ayodhya to get return load," said Ramesh Aggarwal of the All-India Transporters Welfare Association.
The Maha Kumbh, he added, is attracting five-times more trucking load this year than the last Kumbh Mela in 2013. Transporters say the biggest surge in truck load is in FMCG, fruits and vegetables, textiles and even petro products. Said SP Singh, senior fellow and coordinator, Indian Foundation of Transport Research & Training: Already oil companies have hired high capacity trucks to move CNG to Prayagraj for increased transportation since all buses and trucks operating inside the city are CNG vehicles.
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