India, Feb. 27 -- By Ashvini Ranjan

The line for taxis at the Prayagraj airport stretched endlessly, filled with weary travellers eager to reach the Kumbha Mela. The distance to the city was a mere fifteen kilometres, yet the taxi fare stood stiff at Rs. 2,500. "No guarantee you will reach Prayagraj, Sir," cautioned the man at the counter, as if issuing a prophecy of doom. Traffic could be impenetrable. Should that happen, an alternate mode of transport - an e-rickshaw or even a motorbike taxi - might become necessary. Those ahead of us in the queue accepted these terms without protest, either too eager or for want of an alternative.

Our taxi crawled forward, inching through throngs of pilgrims. The cacophony was overwhelming - blaring ...