Hundreds of people from across the State visit Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of Karnataka, in Chikkamagaluru district, on weekends. As the road leading to the peak has developed potholes of late, driving in the narrow stretch is proving to be quite a difficult task.
On Sunday, hundreds of people had to return halfway as they were unable to negotiate the narrow curve near the peak, while many managed to find a parking place nearby and continued their journey on foot. Those visiting the place returned home, all while criticising the State government for the poor maintenance of the road, absence of crash-guards, besides a lack of basic amenities.
Entry fee
As the travellers reach the Kaimara (Handpost), all vehicles were stopped by an agency deputed by the Muzrai Department, to collect an entry fee of Rs. 20 per vehicle. The amount is collected from all those visiting Bababudangiri and Mullayanagiri. “For what purpose are they charging us this entry fee,” asked H.K. Sharath, who visited Mullayanagiri from Hassan on Sunday. “There are no good roads, no designated parking areas and no men on the road to guide the travellers while negotiating the steep curves. For what then, should the government collect the entry fee,” he asked.
On an average, 1,000 vehicles visit the place on weekends. A good number of people visit the place during holidays. “Thousands of rupees are collected daily from tourists. What is this money spent on,” asked Manjunath, another visitor from Bengaluru. He had taken his family to the highest peak. However, he had to cut short his drive as he found that negotiating a steep curve was impossible for him.
The number of tourists visiting the place would go up during the rainy season. When the entire area is covered with fog, it is difficult to identify the person standing nearby, let alone drive down the stretch.
No proper facilities
“There are chances of vehicles falling into the deep gorge if the driver is not an expert. I am surprised that the authorities concerned have not felt the need for crash-guards along the route to the hills,” stated Ganesh, also a traveller from Hassan. Though hundreds of people visit the hills, there are no washrooms or drinking water facilities at the peak.
