Ahead of the much-anticipated Mahakumbh Mela 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to introduce an online booking portal for e-rickshaws and e-autos, aiming to provide a smoother, safer, and more eco-friendly travel experience for the millions of devotees expected to attend the event.
In a move aligned with the state’s Green Mahakumbh initiative, which promotes a cleaner environment, the online vehicle booking system will be available starting December 15. Modeled after popular services like Ola and Uber, the platform will offer a fixed fare service across key locations such as railway stations, bus stands, airports, and hotels. This initiative is expected to ease local transportation while also supporting the state’s sustainability efforts.
The portal will offer affordable, eco-friendly transportation options for devotees, with support from private transport providers. Additionally, a special “Pink Taxi” service will be available, exclusively operated by women drivers, ensuring enhanced safety and inclusivity.
The 2025 Mahakumbh Mela is expected to draw around 45 crore devotees, and in preparation, the government has made arrangements for over 7,000 buses and 550 shuttle buses. The Indian Railways will also run 3,000 trains, including 1,000 additional services, to accommodate the influx of visitors.
The initiative is being led by Comfy E Mobility, a Uttar Pradesh-based startup. The company will provide an online platform for booking e-rickshaws and e-autos, which will be driven by trained and verified drivers. In a bid to ensure smooth communication, all drivers will be trained in using Google Voice Assistance to bridge any language barriers.
Manu Gupta, the founder and director of Comfy E Mobility, emphasized the importance of the initiative in offering safe, app-based transport services to the vast number of devotees from around the world. RK Chauhan, the company’s CEO, stated that the introduction of eco-friendly electric vehicles will help reduce air pollution and create new employment opportunities for local drivers.
The fleet will begin with 300 e-rickshaws covering the entire Prayagraj and Kumbh Mela region. All vehicles will be GPS-tracked and fully enclosed for added safety. The fare system will be transparent and based on a per-kilometer charge, eliminating the risk of inflated rates commonly seen with local rickshaw drivers. A dedicated call center will also be available to address any complaints or concerns raised by the devotees.
This initiative is expected to greatly enhance the experience of pilgrims attending the Mahakumbh Mela while promoting environmental sustainability and cultural awareness.
