<p>Chitradurga: The tourist destinations in Chitradurga including the historic fort, Chandravalli caves, Aadumalleshwara mini zoo and others saw a dip in tourist influx on New Year Day on Wednesday disappointing hoteliers, hawkers selling fruits, puffed rice, ice creams, juice and other stakeholders.</p><p>Authorities had expected more than 30,000 visitors at the historic fort. However, only 6,500 tourists turned up.</p><p>Most of the tourist places in Chitradurga, especially the stone fort, used to witness a heavy rush of tourists on the New Year day for the past decade. The tourist footfall would be such that police and ASI personnel would struggle to manage the crowd. Even this time, they had expected a large number of visitors and had made security and ticket-issuing arrangements. Barricades were installed at the fort entrance to control the crowd. However, the tourist turnout was not as expected. </p><p>“Every year, more than 30,000 people visited the fort during the new year but this time, only 6,500 people visited it. The number of tourists was higher on Wednesday than other days but the numbers were lower than expected probably because the new year day fell on a weekday,” said an official.</p><p><strong>Confusion on restriction</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, some tourists said there was confusion regarding the restriction on entry to certain tourist destinations.</p><p>“The government restricted entry to some beaches, hills, and other tourist destinations. But many felt that entry to Chitradurga fort has also been restricted and avoided visiting it,” said some tourists. They added that the police and ASI had to publicise that the historic fort was open for the tourists.“Every year, Chandravalli would draw youngsters. They would celebrate the New Year by cutting cakes near the lake and on the hill. However, a strict vigil has been kept on the movement of youngsters at Chandravalli in recent days to check unethical activities. As a result, the number of tourists has decreased,” said a localite.</p>
<p>Chitradurga: The tourist destinations in Chitradurga including the historic fort, Chandravalli caves, Aadumalleshwara mini zoo and others saw a dip in tourist influx on New Year Day on Wednesday disappointing hoteliers, hawkers selling fruits, puffed rice, ice creams, juice and other stakeholders.</p><p>Authorities had expected more than 30,000 visitors at the historic fort. However, only 6,500 tourists turned up.</p><p>Most of the tourist places in Chitradurga, especially the stone fort, used to witness a heavy rush of tourists on the New Year day for the past decade. The tourist footfall would be such that police and ASI personnel would struggle to manage the crowd. Even this time, they had expected a large number of visitors and had made security and ticket-issuing arrangements. Barricades were installed at the fort entrance to control the crowd. However, the tourist turnout was not as expected. </p><p>“Every year, more than 30,000 people visited the fort during the new year but this time, only 6,500 people visited it. The number of tourists was higher on Wednesday than other days but the numbers were lower than expected probably because the new year day fell on a weekday,” said an official.</p><p><strong>Confusion on restriction</strong></p><p>Meanwhile, some tourists said there was confusion regarding the restriction on entry to certain tourist destinations.</p><p>“The government restricted entry to some beaches, hills, and other tourist destinations. But many felt that entry to Chitradurga fort has also been restricted and avoided visiting it,” said some tourists. They added that the police and ASI had to publicise that the historic fort was open for the tourists.“Every year, Chandravalli would draw youngsters. They would celebrate the New Year by cutting cakes near the lake and on the hill. However, a strict vigil has been kept on the movement of youngsters at Chandravalli in recent days to check unethical activities. As a result, the number of tourists has decreased,” said a localite.</p>
