Glimpse of animals costs dearly

Visakhapatnam: The enjoyment with families in the zoo parks now cost dear to common people as the state government increased all the ticket prices at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam and Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park in Tirupati. The government enhanced all type of fares in the zoo 200 times and released the orders.

The gate entry ticket per head is enhanced to Rs 50 from Rs 20. The entry ticket for four-wheeler is Rs 250 and a bus was increased to Rs 500. To take video camera into zoo, one must pay Rs 150 which is presently at Rs 100. For still camera, mobile, I-pod and tab, the ticket price increased to Rs 30 from Rs 20. For battery-operated vehicles, for 90 minutes, the present ticket fare Rs 30 was increased to Rs 50 per adult and for child from Rs 10 to Rs 30.

The lion safari and herbivores safari per trip is increased to Rs 50 from Rs Rs 25 per adult and for child Rs 30 from Rs 10. The vehicle parking charges also increased at the zoo parks. The current two-wheeler parking charge increased from Rs 5 to Rs 10, four-wheeler from Rs 5 to 30, cycle parking Rs 2, mini bus Rs 50 and bus parking charge is Rs 100.

The government newly introduced cycle entry into zoo parks. People who wish to move with own cycle into the zoo must take Rs 50 ticket per cycle.  One can also hire the cycle by paying Rs 25 per hour.

However, free entry permitted to differently-abled and students of tribal welfare schools. According to Yesoda Bai R, curator of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, all the enhanced rates would be effective from May 1. The gate entry ticket Rs 10 per child (aged between 3-12 years) was not increased, she added.