Minister launches 'Mysore Tourist Passport'

It will help tourists to gain hassle-free entry in tourist spots

Governor of Karnataka Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala and Pramoda Devi Wadiyar will be invited by the Dasara Executive Committee on Monday, said District-in-Charge Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, here on Sunday.

He was speaking after launching the Mysore Tourist Passport, at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden premises. He said that the Committee will soon release the list of office-bearers of various sub-committees for Dasara.

Responding to a question on housing the second batch of Dasara elephants near Dobhi Ghat inside Amba Vilas Palace premises, he said that the decision had been made following a request made by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar.

“Pramoda Devi had highlighted that housing the elephants near the Bhuvaneshwari temple, would cause inconveniences to her, as she frequented the temple to offer prayers. Therefore, elephants were shifted near Dobhi Ghat,” he said.

Tourist Passport

Speaking on the Mysore Tourist Passport, Prasad said that the single ticket system had been introduced to facilitate tourists in gaining entry to major tourist destinations of the city. “Since, tourist number peaks during Dasara, tourists are made to wait in long queues to get tickets. The Tourist Passport will help tourists in avoiding such queues to gain hassle free entry inside tourist spots,” he said.

He said that tourists could either book tickets online or the tickets will be available in major hotels, tourism agencies of the government and private parties. The tickets are expected to be available online from September 3.

Executive Director of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, B P Ravi, said that a dedicated website, http://mysoretouristpassport.in will sell online tickets for tourists. Printed versions of Mysore Tourist Passport will be printed by the district administration within the span of a week. Bar coding will also be done to avoid forgery of the tickets, he said.

He said that along with the sale of Tourist Passports online, tourists could also book tickets for Hop-On Hop-Off buses, to travel to various tourist destinations during Dasara.