Mysuru: Here is good news for those who visit Mysuru Zoo! Tourism Minister S R Mahesh has instructed the zoo authorities to reduce the costs of all foodstuff sold at the restaurant inside Mysuru Zoo.
There were many complaints from tourists about food in Mysuru Zoo restaurant being expensive. Every day, on an average, more than 8 to 10 thousand people including those from rural places visit Mysuru Zoo. The zoo which is spread in 3 km radius needs one to have a lot of energy to complete the round. Most of the people need a break as they have to walk a long distance to cover all the enclosures where animals and birds are housed. Most of them not only need a break but also light refreshment or snacks to regain their energy as well as enjoy their day in the zoo.
As they are not allowed to carry any eatables inside the zoo, most of them need to get them from the only restaurant which is inside the zoo. On visiting this restaurant, most of them have received shocks on seeing rates of food served here. It has been worse for people from rural areas. For Idli Vada, one has to pay Rs 80, for only Vada Rs 40, Plain Dosa Rs 60, Masala Dosa Rs 65, Set Dosa Rs 70 and Chow Chow Bath Rs 100. For tea or coffee Rs 25, Chapathi Rs 50, Bisi Bele Bath Rs 75, Curd Rice Rs 75, Vegetable Biryani Rs 100, Pani Puri and Behl Puri Rs 60, Masala Puri 70 and Veg Puff Rs 40.
K Revathi, a tourist who had come from Bengaluru said, “I along with my sister and our children had visited the zoo. When we got into the restaurant we were shocked to see the rates. It’s really too much and the government should have control over this. The poor and middle-class people who come in more numbers to the zoo can’t really afford to have any food.”
When this was brought to the notice of Tourism Minister S R Mahesh, he immediately instructed the zoo authorities to get the agreement letter and even spoke to a private hotel which is opposite to zoo. After cross-checking with the private hotels, the minister was upset and called upon zoo authorities to immediately reduce the fare. “It’s really surprising to know the fare in the restaurant. I have instructed the zoo authorities to immediately reduce the fare or warn the vendors that their contract will not be renewed.” He also mentioned that if the rates were not reduced by the contractor, on expiry of the contract, the zoo authorities had been instructed to look for alternatives including Jungle Lodges.
Even B P Ravi, Additional Principal, Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka said, “Based on a request from the minister, we try to bring this to the notice of the contractor and try to do our best for the tourists and visitors.”
