Vadodara: Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) will operate AC Volvo buses to Maha Kumbh mela at Prayagraj from Vadodara in Gujarat.

The service starts from February 4. Booking can be done online at GSRTC website from 5 pm on February 2. It’s a daily service to be operated from the bus depot of GSRTC in Vadodara. Rs. 8,200 value package involves three nights and four days. On 4 February, early morning, the first bus of pilgrims from Vadodara will depart. One night stay shall be at Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh due to long distance. Stay at Shivpuri is included in this package. Stay in Kumbh Mela will need to be arranged by pilgrims on their own and it is not included in this package of GSRTC and Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL). Meals are also not part of the package.

Minister of State for Transport Harsh Sanghavi made the announcement of Vadodara – Prayagraj bus service today morning through his social media handles. It’s worth noting that the parking of bus shall be away from the Kumbh Mela place and the pilgrims will need to consider the need to walk a lot for holy bath and the lengthy travel hours due to long distance of over 1400 km (22 hours journey). The buses are to be operated from Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Ahmedabad(in addition to existing one) from February 4. One bus to Prayagraj is already operational from Ahmedabad since 27 January and it is fully booked. Per seat package rate from Ahmedabad for fresh five buses from February 4 is Rs. 7,800, from Surat Rs. 8,300, from Vadodara Rs. 8,200 and from Rajkot Rs. 8,800. Online booking for these buses will start from Sunday, 2nd February 2025 on GSRTC.in website from 5 pm.

It’s worth noting pilgrims are facing issues in getting train tickets to Prayagraj even after launch of several special trains and addition of more coaches to trains. Also three special flights are started connecting Ahmedabad to Prayagraj but seats are not available or they are available for too high fare.

વડોદરા થી પ્રસ્થાન થનાર બસોનું સમય પત્રક

દિવસ	સમય	વિગત	રાત્રી રોકાણ
દિવસ – ૧	સવારે ૦૬:૦૦ કલાકે	વડોદરા બસ સ્ટેન્ડથી પ્રસ્થાન.
	સાંજે ૦૮:૦૦ કલાકે	બસ શિવપુરી (MP) પહોચશે (વાયા ઉદેપુર – કોટા)	શિવપુરી (MP)
દિવસ – ૨	સવારે ૦૬:૦૦ કલાકે	શિવપુરી (MP) થી પ્રસ્થાન
	સાંજે ૦૬:૦૦ કલાકે	પ્રયાગરાજ આગમન	પ્રયાગરાજ
દિવસ – ૨ ના આગમનથી દિવસ – ૩ ના પ્રસ્થાન સુધી પ્રયાગરાજ ખાતે સ્નાન માટે આરક્ષિત (પ્રયાગરાજ મુકામે રહેવાની વ્યવસ્થા યાત્રિકો દ્વારા પોતાની રીતે કરવાની રહેશે)
દિવસ – ૩	બપોરે ૧:૦૦ કલાકે	પ્રયાગરાજ થી પ્રસ્થાન
	રાત્રે ૧૨:૦૦ કલાકે	બસ શિવપુરી (MP) પહોચશે	શિવપુરી (MP)
દિવસ – ૪	સવારે ૦૬:૦૦ કલાકે	શિવપુરી (MP) થી પ્રસ્થાન
	સાંજે ૦૯:૦૦ કલાકે	વડોદરા પરત	—-

નોંધ : રાજ્ય સરકારશ્રી દ્વારા રાજ્યની જનતા પવિત્ર મહાકુંભનો લાભ લઇ શકે તે માટે નમ્ર પ્રયાસ કરેલ છે આમ છતાં પ્રયાગરાજ મુકામે યાત્રિકો મોટી માત્રામાં પધારતા હોઈ સમય અને સુવિધામાં પરિસ્થિતિ અનુસાર ફેરફાર થવાની શકયતા છે.

This package 

• In Shivpuri (MP), accommodation will be provided in a hotel (sharing basis) on a room-sharing basis.
• In Prayagraj, overnight stay will need to be arranged on own.
• The travel and accommodation times are estimated. There may be changes depending on road conditions and local traffic.

Important Instructions for Pilgrims

• The bus will go as close as possible to the parking area.
• In Prayagraj, there is a possibility of walking approximately 5 km. It is requested to keep the luggage as light as possible or bring a trolley bag for convenience.
• During the days of Shahi Snan (royal bath) and the days before and after, the number of pilgrims will be very high, so there is a possibility of restrictions on vehicle movement.
• Local e-rickshaws and CNG rickshaws are available in Prayagraj at your own expense.
• The route may change at any time depending on the local situation, so pilgrims are requested to be patient.
• The local administration has placed sector maps/instructions at various locations, which are requested to be followed.
• Pilgrims are requested to take a bath at holy river first (bathing is open 24 hours).
• Please note that it will take approximately 2-3 hours to go for a bath and come back.
• If the pilgrims want to bring Sangam water, they should keep space accordingly in the bag.
• Pilgrims are requested to carry warm clothes, 4-5 copies of Aadhar card/ID, power bank, torch, candles, loose change, contact details of family members and necessary medicines.

DeshGujarat