Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 22: Henceforth, visitors to Pilikula Nisargadhama can visit all the sections of the facility by hopping in and out of Buggies which would be moving around the park at regular intervals. For this, they will have to buy a ticket before entering the biological park.

14 battery-operated Buggies vehicles have been bought for the purpose at a cost of about one crore rupees. These vehicles were launched by MLA, Umanath Kotian, on Monday January 21. Kotian said that Buggies will play a stellar role in keeping the Nisargadhama areas smoke-free. Executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama, Prasanna, informed that two more such vehicles would be joining the current fleet of buggies in a few days.

Henceforth, people visiting Nisargadhama have to park theif vehicles in the space provided near the gate. They can opt to either buy a ticket and travel by Buggies or go in by walk. For travel by Buggies, elders are charged Rs 25 and for the children, the fee has been pegged at ten rupees. Every Buggy can carry up to 14 passengers. Buggies leave the parking area with an interval of ten minutes, and people can get down and board any of the Buggies which move around the park at any time. This service will be available from 10 am to 5.30pm.

Operation of Buggies has been given to Kaveri Industries by way of tender. The firm will be entitled to collect ticket charges and pay one lac rupees to Pilikula Nisargadhama.

Pilikula Biological Park director, Jayaprakash Bhandary, science centre director, K V Rao, secretary of Coastal Development Authority, Pradeep D'Souza, N G Mohan of Scouts and Guides and others were present.