Archive photos of tourists on the top of Nandi Hills.
If everything is planned, private cars will not be allowed to climb Nandi Hills in the coming months as the ambitious Nandi Ropeway Project grows. As the horticulture department prepares to hand over the two acres of land on the top of the hill to the Ministry of Tourism to establish the upper terminal of the ropeway project, there are concerns about parking spaces to compromise.
Chickballapur Regional Minister MC Sudhakar visited Nandi Hills on Sunday with Deputy Commissioner and Deputy and Senior Officials of the Ministry of Tourism to check what measures can be taken to address the issue.
“Once two acres are taken away, parking spaces are reduced to one-third of their original dimension, causing problems. Therefore, we suggest alternative arrangements like buses to make people move up and down the hills is a better option,” Dr. Sudhakar told Hindu.
He added: “At around 5.15am on Sunday, there are about 1,100 two-wheelers and over 500 four-wheelers. Some people start to reach between 2.30am and 3am itself. Visitor counts will be even greater in winter. In the winter, we have identified 20 acres of land, four kilometers away from the road, which can be opened along the distance of Devanills, which is four kilometers away from the road.
The same model is followed in Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, another popular tourist destination in Chamarajanagar district. The Chika Magalore Regional Government has made the same recommendation as private vehicles create traffic congestion on Mullayanagiri Hills during the holidays.
“We will soon hold a meeting with the Chief Secretary and the Minister of Tourism to discuss this. The government is also planning a cabinet meeting on Mount Nandi in the next one or two months, at which time we will also make this proposal before the cabinet as we will need to procure buses and other things,” Dr. Sudhakar said.
Online ticketing, emergency services
The minister also noted that despite three or four ticket counters, there were still a long queue to get tickets. “The plan is to implement an online ticketing system where visitors can also point out what kind of vehicles they will bring so that parking arrangements can also be provided accordingly,” he said.
He also said there are plans to renovate the restaurant above the hill and place quality boxes where people can sit and sit for refreshments, while also having a private view.
“I also observed that once you enter the main arch, there is not enough room for fire engines and ambulances to enter. Once we start ropes and other adventures, it is important that we have any way to provide them with safety. We have all these plans and depending on financial viability, we will implement them,” said Dr. Sudhakar. ”
The State Department of Forest has provided approval for the rope project, and the Union Department of Environment clearance is also awaiting.
publishing – May 11, 2025 10:02 pm ist
