• Officials send proposal to Government to increase entry fee and parking fee

• Notification on fee hike will be issued soon, say officials

Mysuru: Get ready to pay more to visit the iconic Brindavan Gardens at the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam as the authorities have decided to increase the entry fee. At present, each visitor has to pay Rs.20 and children have to pay Rs.5.

A proposal has been sent to the State Government to revise the entry fee to Rs.50.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, officials from the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) that manages the KRS Dam and the Brindavan Gardens, said that the proposal has been sent to the Government two months back.

“Due to the Election Model Code of Conduct, the proposal was pending and since the elections are over, the official notification will be issued soon. The code of conduct will be in force till May 31 owing to local body elections on May 29,” an officer said.

At present, visitors have to pay a parking fee of Rs. 25 for four-wheelers and Rs. 3 for two-wheelers. This fee will also be increased along with the entry fee, officials said. The CNNL has taken a decision to revise the fees as it has been long overdue.

“With shrinking revenues and a huge task of maintaining the KRS and Brindavan Gardens, we are forced to revise the rates that have not been raised since many years. As the rates were not revised, no agency came forward for tenders for the collection of user fee, entry fee,                                                                               vehicle parking fee and toll collection at the downstream bridge,” officials said.

The annual footfall to the KRS Dam and the Brindavan Gardens has shown a steady increase over the years. The Dam’s peaceful atmosphere, breathtaking views and the beautiful Mughal Gardens are attracting tourists from far and wide who want to spend some quality time.

 On an average, over 10,000 tourists visit KRS every day and the numbers see an increase during Dasara and peak tourism season. Taking the statistics of the last five years, over 30 lakh tourists have visited on an average every year.

The Dam collects over Rs. 5 crore entry fee every year. The Dam authorities get an annual income of over Rs. 1.20 crore by the sale of vehicle parking tickets. The combined annual income through entry tickets and parking tickets is about Rs. 6.20 crore.

Apart from rare varieties of plants and flowers, the fountains are another major attraction, especially in the evenings when water flows amidst colourful lights and music. These include Radhakrishna and Shiva waterfalls, high-pressure fountain, Kaveramma, umbrella fountain, crown, rainbow, inverted basket, arch, pyramid, mist and cross.