Bengaluru: Visitors may soon have to pay more for entry tickets and parking at Lal Bagh. The Horticulture Department, which manages the park, is likely to increase the fees to ensure that it does not compromise on development works. Also, part of the increased revenues will go towards paying taxes.
A source from the Horticulture Department told Deccan Chronicle that Lal Bagh earns around Rs 4 crore per annum, of which Rs 80 lakh is paid as Goods and Service Taxes (GST) and this was affecting development works. That was the reason for mooting a ticket price hike. For example, the current ticket price for an adult is Rs 20 and it could be increased by Rs 10, including GST. Similarly, the parking fee too is likely to be increased, the source said.
A senior officer from the department said that the proposal is still being discussed and may be implemented soon. “The tenders are ready and will be floated soon. Once the process is finalised, we will implement the new rates and we are planning to start it in a couple of months. The parking fee for two-wheelers and four-wheelers is still being worked out. The hike will not be so steep that it will put off the visitors. At the same time, we should also think about the expenses, like maintenance costs,” the officer said.
“On weekdays, the footfall is over 5,000, during weekends it is double that figure and on festival days, it goes over 20,000. The fee hike will help us carry out many development projects, which are in the pipeline,” the officer said.
