Mysore/Mysuru: After running into rough weather a couple of times just when the time-table is announced, the much- delayed and much-hyped Ambaari double-decker hop-on and hop-off services will begin from Sept. 4 (Saturday) to coincide with the weekend. 

The State Government has lifted weekend curfew from Mysuru as COVID cases have declined and also following demand from hotel and hospitality sector to relax curbs. But a lot depends on the day of the inaugural run as the success of Ambaari hinges on the public response. 

If people shy away from the facility like it happened on Aug. 1 when the bus was all set to take tourists around Mysuru for the first time after many trials, the authorities have to again put off the run and take a call on the next launch date. 

A press release from the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Chairman Ka. Pu. Siddalingaswamy said that the tour will begin from Sept. 4 at 9.30 am and will be operated at different schedules till 5.30 pm. 

Each passenger will be charged Rs. 250 for a round trip of the city covering 35 tourist-interest places.

Tourists will get an audio guide the moment the bus reaches the tourist sites identified on the route. The audio will be available in two languages in the beginning — Kannada and English — and the KSTDC has plans to add a couple of foreign languages later.

 The inaugural run on Aug. 1 could not happen as there was poor response and also, tourists from Kerala were missing in Mysuru as the pandemic had raised its head again in the neighbouring State. 

Another reason for the poor response was the weekend curfew and entry ban to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple during Ashada month. 

Now that the weekend curfew has been lifted, it remains to be seen how the tourists respond to the Sept. 4 date. For details contact Ph: 0821-2423652.

Ambaari route

The Ambaari route starting from KSTDC Office at Hotel Mayura Hoysala on JLB Road covers Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kukkarahalli Lake, Crawford Hall, Ramaswamy Circle, Sanskrit Patashaala, K.R. Circle, Dodda Gadiyara (Silver Jubilee Clock Tower), Palace South Gate, Hardinge Circle, Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, Government Guest House, St. Philomena’s Church, Bannimantap, Government Ayurveda College Circle, Railway Station Circle and culminates at Hotel Mayura Hoysala.