Patna zoo visit gets dearer

PATNA: Visitors to the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park now have to cough up more money as the authorities have hiked the entry fee effective Friday. The fee was last increased in December 2004.

While the entry fee for adults has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 15, that for children has remained untouched at Rs 5. A group of 25 students and more will be charged Rs 4 per person.

While fares for half-an-hour-long boating has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 75 for double seater boats, for four seaters it has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 90.

Toy train fares for adults and children will be Rs 15 and Rs 10 respectively. For the Fish house, no change has been effected. For children’s park, adults and children will now have to pay Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively.

Apart from morning walks, the health freaks can now also enjoy cycling in the midst of lush green botanical garden while enjoying the rich fauna. The much awaited provision for cycling has been introduced, for which Rs 10 per hour will be charged. A sum of Rs 100 will be deposited as security amount, which will be refunded after deducting the charges.

“The user just has to provide an address proof and a mobile number,” said deputy director of the zoo, Pravin Kumar.

There is good news for those who don’t want to walk around the zoo. From May, battery-operated four and eight-seated vehicles will be introduced inside the zoo.

“In the beginning, two to three such vehicles will be introduced, and as per the response of people we will start a few more,” said Kumar, adding “from the starting point at both the main gates, they will stop at various points like giraffe enclosure, rose garden, lion and tiger enclosures.”

An artificially recreated water fall and cave on a hillock near the main entrance were also inaugurated on the occasion of Bihar Diwas on March 22.2