news details |
|
|
| Tulips catching visitors’ fancy but ticket price spoiling show | | | SANDEEP BHAT
Srinagar, Apr 7: Kashmir’s tulip garden, a dream project of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, is in its full bloom and catching the visitors’ fancy but price tag of the tickets is coming in the way.
Former Chief Minister, Gulam Nabi Azad during his tenure developed a beautiful Tulip garden on the bank of Dal Lake was welcomed by every one in Kashmir. Tulip garden is one of the largest garden in Asia. Last year, both locals as well as the tourists (Indian and foreigners) appreciated the work done by the Azad and large number of people thronged the garden and admire it.
The Early Times’, correspondent, present at the inaugural function of garden last month found many people both locals tourists annoyed with the increase in entry fee which has been increased to many folds.
Zeenat-un-Nisa, a teacher accompanying the students at Tulip garden, talking to early Times, said that she had to return back along with school children which were 25 in numbers, because we were unable to get entry ticket as they are too expensive. She further said it is unfair to charge high price by the govt. for entry ticket. Charging Rs 50 for per person as an entry ticket for Tulip garden is unacceptable.
Farooq Ahmed, a local, said charging Rs 50 from local is not acceptable. There should be difference in entry fee from locals as well as from tourists and added for locals there should be free entry or if not possible, make it nominal, he added.
Rajesh Jain, tourist from Gujarat, said that the entry fee should be nominal. When the entry fee for Mughal gardens is fixed at Rs 10 for per adult and Rs 5 for per children, same pattern should be adopted here also. He further said that tourists also cannot afford such a big entry fee. If a family consists of more than 6 to 7 persons, imagine how much he has to pay as entry fee. A gardener in Tulip garden, who did not disclosed his name, said, no doubt, this is one of the beautiful gardens in the world, but at the same time, Govt. should lower down the entry fee so that every one will be able to see and enjoy it to the maximum. Others, who were present there, express same opinion on the entry ticket.
The correspondent got similar views, when he visited Gulmarg to enjoy gondola ride. Fayaz Ahmed, the officer incharge, Gandola cable project, said, that we are providing hastle free service to the visitors and increase in Gandola ride ticket, it is the decision of the government and we have to implement the govt’s order. On our own, we are unable to do anything for lower down of prices of Gandola Ride. Shazia and Zubair Ahmed, a newly wedded couple in Gulmarg, said, last year, it was Rs 100/- per person for Kongdoor and Rs 100/- per person for upper wathe. But this year, when we got married, we were surprised to see the increase in fare of Gandola ride.
From Rs 100 to Rs 300 per person upto Kongdoor and Rs 800 per person upto upper wathe is really not acceptable as well as non-affordable.
A family from Kolkata, while talking to ET said, that, increase in fares of Gandola ride is unacceptable and he reduced to suit the pocket of average family. The state government should think twice on the Gandola ride ticket. Anyone who reaches Gulmarg, wants to have a ride in Gandola car, but the charges compel them to avoid it, he abandons his programme. Gulzar Ahmed, Farooq, Nazir and many others of the view that the rates should be lower down so that everyone can enjoy the ride and there should be different rates for locals (State Subjects) and tourists (both domestic and foreigners). This price may be nominal or affordable for foreign tourists but very high for domestic and locals. When this correspondent tried to reach out to Tourist minister for his view, the phone was not reachable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
