Zoo's e-ticketing falls off the radar

Lack of awareness, technical glitches, and misuse of facility has made it infamous

For the convenience of netizens and to cut the rush at ticket counters, the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens launched the e-ticketing system, two years ago.

However, due to several problems, the facility has fallen off the radar of the visitors, as a majority of whom are not even aware about it.

The user friendly service was launched in June, 2012. Initially it proved to be big hit with scores of visitors logging in. As per the details available with Deccan Herald, till date, just over six thousand visitors have made use of this service, while the Zoo receives as many visitors everyday. The footfall doubles during the weekends and vacations.

However, lack of awareness about facility, which entails added cost to the visitor; validity (seven days); technical glitches, and related problems, have kind of derailed this service.
A staff from the Zoo, said that the facility was an additional burden to them. “We have to check minute details -- the number of persons, whether they have booked camera or battery operated vehicles.

At times, the same person would have booked two slots, while others come with their confirmed tickets which is on their cell phones. Sometimes due to poor web connectivity, visitors are made to wait during verification. But the impatient visitors abuse us when there is a delay,” the staffer added.

Another official revealed that the visitors, after noticing serpentine queues, log on to the website (through cell phones or tablets) and book tickets. “The reservation takes at least one hour to be upload onto the Zoo server. But the visitors come and demand entry. But we cannot allow them inside, unless we have verified,” the official added.

The facility was introduced to help tourists book tickets in advance. Along with e-ticketing, the Zoo extended booking tickets, payment of service charges to use battery-operated vehicles, cameras and even parking.

With the new facility the Zoo graduated to be India's first conservation centre to offer the facility.

Most visitors who opted for e-ticketing facility are netizens. Also, people preplan their tours, says B P Ravi, Executive Director.

A majority of the visitors who opted for such services are Bangaloreans, followed by Keralites. According to him, there are a number of visitors who come to the heritage city on various tours.

No awareness

When a family from Andhra Pradesh who were waiting in the queue were asked about the e-ticketing facility they said ,“If we knew about facility, there would be no need for us to be standing in the queue here?’’ 

Another senior official said that the validity of tickets was also a major concern.

“We have allowed many visitors to the Zoo, even after their ticket validity had lapsed,” he said.