MYSORE: If the sudden upsurge in tourist influx over the last three days is any indication, it seems Mysore is in for another Dasara-like scenario. Ticket sales at the three primary tourist centres in the city the Chamarajendra zoological gardens, Mysore Palace and the KRS scaled a peak during the period.
The extended weekend due to Good Friday was said to be the reason behind the high influx of tourists. Other tourist spots such as Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, Shivanasamudra falls and Chamundi Hill too had a large number of visitors.
Sources told Express that collection at the Mysore Zoo, due to ticket sales, which normally hovers around Rs 45 lakh during the weekends, crossed Rs 8 lakh on Saturday and Sunday and it was Rs 7.6 lakh on Friday. "During last Dasara, the zoo netted an average of Rs 78 lakh per day," said Zoo Executive Director Markandaiah. A similar explanation holds good for the turnout at Mysore Palace and Brindavan Gardens at KRS, with traffic police being deployed to ease vehicular movement.
Parking of vehicles was a teething issue at the various tourist hubs in the city. The problem was most visible at Mysore zoo.