Madikeri: Mandal Patti is one of the most sought after tourist locales in Kodagu district at a distance of around 15 Kms from the town. They say, it is a place where ‘Heaven meets the Earth’ and the tourists who visit the area are spell bound by the serene beauty that the nature embraces in its arms.
The strong winds, the rainy clouds, forest greenery and the adventurous journey (last 3kms) along the dangerous stretch make it all the more exciting.
Bees swarm around the sweet flowers, so are the tourists to famous and attractive locales. When tourist inflow increases all other activities ‘take wings’ in the form of infrastructure development, accommodation, travel and guides. Mandal Patti is no different as plenty of resorts, tourist guide counters and means of travel have been increasing in the recent past to assist and make visit to this place comfortable for tourists. The infrastructure has not grown in line with the increase in the number of tourists because of the difficult terrain.
There are other reasons too like powerful lobbies controlling the business zone depending upon the influence a service has on the tourists who flock in. May be due to one such reason, the Managluru – Bengaluru railway line has remained a distant dream for people who travel from either end in great numbers.
Mandal Patti is no different! Visitors to Madikeri town in Kodagu like to visit abbey falls, Raja seat and if time permits Mandal Patti for sure. The surrounding hills appear like heavenly ballet dancers standing still gazing at the clouds kissing them. The dense forests below, water streams and sometimes an encounter with wild animals make the trip even more exciting.
Jeep rides
Many tourists feel that the last stretch of 3 km jeep ride is like a rope walk across a ravine. It is ridden with few dangers and definitely needs driving expertise to touch the destination. Over the years when the tourist inflow was less few daring jeep drivers used to take the tourists to the destination and bring them back and charge reasonable rates to the liking of the tourists. As the tourist inflow increased the demand too increased and the power lobbies started having their influence, because of which today it’s a situation where jeep drivers fleece the tourists in most cases. The days of reasonable amount is taken over by exorbitant costs depending on the situation.
The truth is known to everyone involved! The tourists know that they are being charged in excess, the jeep drivers know that their rates are not in line with actual rates, the power lobbies like the way the rates stand and prefer them soar further and last of all the transport and the law enforcing agencies which push the issue under the carpet for reasons only known to them.
However, the villagers are up in arms against all these activities and want the district administration to clip the wings of the jeep drivers and prevent them from fleecing innocent tourists who come to the district to enjoy their leisure. Their grouse is that that good public image of the district is taking a beating and the haphazard parking and erratic movement by the speeding jeep drivers is causing lot of inconvenience to children, women, vehicle users and villagers in the area.
The rate for the dangerous stretch of 3kms jeep costs as much as Rs 800 and from Hebbagatti junction to the destination it costs up to Rs 2,800 for a distance of around 12-15 kms which they feel is exorbitant. There are also instances of tourists vehicles being blocked at the Hebbagatti junction, stating private vehicles are not allowed beyond the junction. In addition, if the tourist inflow is high and tourists are not given an opportunity to reach the view point but are taken back in quick time ,after covering a km distance from Mandal Patti stating that the “trip ends here and there is nothing more to see”. The tourists have to return midway and later question within, was it of any worth?
The villagers allege that the road has been developed up to Mandal Patti gate under PM Gram Sadak Program (yojana) and a road from the other side up to Hamyala and Surlabbi which has been developed to facilitate tourist travel. They feel the last 3 Kms of road from the gate to the view point must be developed so that all vehicles can reach the destination with ease. They also allege that the vehicles must travel at 30 kms speed per hour with the village limits as the jeep drivers’ erratic driving at high speeds which puts villagers’ lives in danger.
Addressing the press conference on behalf of villagers in the area, AT Madappa, a prominent villager said that the government should consider their view and take corrective measures immediately. He said, they will be forced to organise protests and hold road blocks and the government will be responsible for the consequences. He insisted that the jeeps should not allowed to stand bear Hebbattagi junction where around 50-60 jeeps are parked at present. He was of the view that the government should provide public transport till Mandal Patti gate.
Karera Joyappa, Vishwnth Hebbattageri, Biddappa Hebbattageri, Karera Charmanna and Uttappa Kaloor were present during the press conference.
