No Tax On Pilgrimage: Indian Railways Announces End of ‘Mela Surcharge’ Ahead of Kumbh In Prayagraj

Just before the beginning in January of the Kumbh Mela festive season in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the Ministry of Railways has decided to discontinue its ‘Mela surcharge’, an extra levy charged from passengers during periods of large fairs, reports Livemint.

The surcharge was applied to the purchase of railway tickets in places where fairs were organised to meet the railways’increased internal expenditure.

The circular of the Ministry of Railways announcing the change read, “The Ministry of Railways has decided to discontinue the levy of ‘mela surcharge’ with effect from December 11, 2018.”

This follows the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to make all roads and highways to Prayagraj toll free for devotees travelling to the Kumbh Mela during the three month period between 15 December and 15 January.