Mysuru: The contract for Dasara Exhibition, one of the main events of Dasara festival, has been again awarded to Fun World and Resorts India Pvt. Ltd., for a sum of Rs.6.6 crore. The expo commencing from Sept. 21 will conclude on Dec. 30. Disclosing this to SOM, N.M. Shashi Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA), said that for the last three years KEA had handled the gate collection and parking lot which too have now been given to Fun World and Resorts. He added that the company had bagged the contract last year for Rs. 4.11 crore.

Referring to the entry tickets, Shashi Kumar said that the ticket is priced at Rs. 20 for an adult and Rs. 10 for children. The parking fee is Rs.10 for two-wheelers, Rs. 20 for four-wheelers and Rs. 50 for buses, said the CEO adding that the contractor has been instructed to behave politely with visitors at entry gates and parking lot. Speaking on the revenue earned last year, Shashi Kumar disclosed that KEA had netted Rs. 2.5 crore through gate collection and parking fees but the expenditure was Rs. 50 lakh for a period of 90 days. He recalled that e-ticketing and mobile app were launched last year.

He further said that owing to staff crunch and mounting expenses, the maintenance of gate collection and parking lot have also been entrusted to the contractor this time.

Referring to the beautification works at Dasara Exhibition Ground, the CEO said that the fountains work underway in front of the main arch and the landscaping work would be competed before the Expo opens.