Mysuru: The Mysuru Palace Board has introduced free bicycles for the visitors/tourists so that they can roam around the most visited tourist spot in India instead of walking. On an experimental basis, the board had introduced 10 bicycles which had received overwhelming response from the travellers pushing the palace authorities to add ten more of them.
Even though the cycle is yet to become familiar among the tourists who visit palace those who are aware about facility are taking maximum benefit of it. Many tourists after nearly an hour’s ride inside the palace, tell that it gave them a sense of great pride to roam inside the palace which is spread across nearly 90 acres of land. The tourists who are overwhelmed with the facility have requested the authorities to come up with more sign boards about the availability of bicycles so that the visitors, soon after they enter the palace come to know of it and take maximum benefit out of it. As of now there is no proper sign board which is resulting in lack of awareness about the availability of the bicycles. By just giving identity card and a deposit of Rs 200 which is refundable one can avail free cycle at Mysuru Palace which is available next to Ambavilas gate.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Ranjit Mehta, a tourist from Chennai accompanied by 125 special children said, “This is not the first time I am coming to Mysuru Palace. This is the first time that I am making use of this bicycle which is really a good initiative on the part of the authorities. Now it has become easy to go around the palace as everyone can’t walk for long distances. Cycle is also eco friendly and more cycles and awareness about the facility should be provided by the authorities.
Kishore Jain, who walks with crutches and who made maximum use of the bicycle said, “Its a good initiative on part of the authorities but if this is more available around the palace it will be more useful for the tourists.”
D Randeep, Deputy Commissioner who is also Executive Officer of Palace Board said, “Already we are having battery operated vehicle for tourists. As cycle is also eco friendly we thought of introducing it for the tourists. It will also be good experience for the tourists. To start with, we had come out with 10 bicycles by the end of last month. After seeing the response, we have decided to introduce ten more bicycles. Apart from this we have also planned to put sign boards at prominent places so that the tourists can come to know of the facility and make use of it. Just a month ago, we have introduced this cycle on trial basis and already we have good feedback from the tourists.”
R Nagaraj who is incharge of bicycles said, “People are feeling happy with the facility. After having nearly an hour’s ride they are overwhelmed.” Meanwhile, the tourists have requested the authorities for uniform type of cycles.
