Lalbagh Flower show sees over one lakh footfalls on R-Day

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: As the 217th Republic Day Flowershow in Lalbagh Botanical Garden is set to conclude on Monday, Sunday saw footfall exceeding 1 lakh, according to a senior official in the Parks and Gardens wing of the Horticulture Department. The revenue only as on 6.30 pm on Sunday, may also exceed Rs 75 lakh, the official added. The department expected increased footfall, due to Republic Day falling on a Sunday.

The life and contributions of Valmiki, who wrote the first Ramayana is the theme for this year’s flower show. Before Sunday, the Horticulture Department has encashed Rs 2 crore. “This time we’ve sold tickets worth more than Rs 75 lakh,” said Kamaraj, Assistant Director of the Parks and Gardens wing in Lalbagh. On an average the footfall is at 20,000. However, on the weekends, it is estimated that more than 50,000 come. “We’ve seen enthusiastic responses from schools, out of which we’ve collected 30,000 tickets,” he added. Another highlight, the official claimed, is the success of the plastic ban. “The previous edition only saw 80-90 per cent ban being enforced.

This time, there were no instances of plastic use,” the official claimed. The Horticulture Department projected attendances of upto 10 lakh in the 11 day flower show. Exact figures of it would be revealed on Monday. In the midst of it, is the expected traffic congestion in and around Lalbagh. Commuters were stuck near the East and West Gate. Farhan Gheta, who travelled from Yeshwantpur towards Jayanagar said it took half-an-hour to cross the signal on the West gate, where Lalbagh Metro Station is located. The vacant plots near Lalbagh, which has become parking lots for vehicles, had accumulated more traffic on Hosur Road from Kengal Hanumanthaiah Circle.

BBMP holds animal awareness camp amidst flower show: Taking advantage of the exceeded footfall, the Animal Husbandry Department of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had staged a play on animal awareness.This is part of the citywide awareness ampaign, aimed to raise awareness on animal harassment increased complaints.