Day after Kumbh deaths, OSRTC cancels special bus service to Ayodhya

Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) on Thursday announced cancellation of the special bus service it had recently started to Ayodhya for Maha Kumbh. The move comes a day after a stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj killed at least 30 people and left 60 injured. In an official statement OSRTC said, "Due to unavoidable circumstances, the special bus service to Ayodhya for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 stands cancelled with immediate effect till Feb 4, 2025."Sources said the decision was taken to contain the rush of devotees to Maha Kumbh that had resulted in Wednesday's tragedy. It said that further updates will be shared on public forums. The OSRTC has also issued a helpline number – 18003451122 — and a WhatsApp number – 7849052205 — for further assistance. For refunds, people can call 9937547773, it said.The govt had on Jan 13 launched the special bus services from four locations to Prayagraj and Ayodhya for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The govt also offered 50% discount on the fare for women travellers and announced that the service would continue till Feb 26.Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had virtually flagged off the special bus service that operated from Puri, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, and Berhampur, and travelled to Ayodhya via Varanasi and Prayagraj.