‘Mera Bharat Mahan’: Comedian reveals that Delhi-Jaisalmer flight ticket was so expensive that he booked one for...

Comedian Ankit Grover has triggered a fresh discussion on the high cost of domestic flights in India by sharing his personal experience of booking a Delhi-Jaisalmer trip. The London-based comedian revealed that a flight to Jaisalmer for his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary ended up being more expensive than a flight to Dubai.

Grover explained that when he first checked the Delhi-Jaisalmer flight, it was priced at Rs 15,000 per person. However, after a delay of 3-4 days in booking, the ticket price skyrocketed to Rs 31,000 per person—an over 50% increase. Frustrated by the steep rise, he decided to book a trip to Dubai instead, which cost Rs 30,000 per person.

Sharing his experience in a comment on an Instagram post, which later went viral on social media platform X, Grover sarcastically questioned the situation, saying, “Who is at loss? Mera Bharat Mahan.”

Currently, ticket booking platforms show that flights between Delhi and Jaisalmer are available at much lower rates for future dates. For instance, flights for January 10 are priced between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000, and February flights are even cheaper. However, Grover’s experience highlighted how fluctuating prices can affect domestic tourism decisions.

Netizens React to Grover’s Experience
Grover’s comment sparked widespread debate online. Many users pointed out that the steep cost of domestic travel often pushes people to choose international destinations.

One user wrote, “People prefer foreign trips over domestic destinations like Goa because the price difference isn’t significant. This needs serious attention from authorities.” Another suggested that government intervention is necessary, adding, “Local tourism will suffer without regulations on airfare.”

Others highlighted similar trends in hotel pricing. “What costs Rs 2,500 per night abroad can easily cost Rs 6,000- Rs 7,000 in India,” one person shared.

While some joked about the issue, others expressed frustration, emphasizing the need for better pricing policies to encourage domestic travel.