Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100854180600.htm

Karnataka

Second entrance for the exhibition grounds soon

Staff Correspondent

‘Work is going on; parking space will be provided’

MYSORE: With a view to facilitating a smooth entry to the Dasara Exhibition grounds, the Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) has decided to throw open another gate for the public.

KEA Chief Executive Officer A.B. Ibrahim told The Hindu that entry tickets at the rear entrance will be issued shortly. “Work is going on. The rear entrance will open shortly,” he said.

He said parking space will be made available for visitors arriving at the rear entrance. “Already, a parking board has been put up there,” he said.

The opening of the second gate at the exhibition grounds is expected to facilitate a large number of visitors coming from the southern parts of Mysore, who wish to avoid the traffic snarls that have become common near Hardinge Circle. Though the exhibition premises at Doddakere Maidan has technically become a smoke-free zone from October 2, the authorities will start enforcing the ban from October 10.

Mr. Ibrahim said steps will be taken to ensure that the ban on smoking is enforced from October 10.

According to the ban on smoking enforced by the Union Government, persons found smoking in prohibited places will be penalised Rs. 200 for the offence.

The KEA’s decision to convert the exhibition premises into a litter-free zone has turned out to be a challenging proposition with visitors ignoring the appeal made by the authorities.

Though the authorities were providing each visitor at the entrance to the exhibition a bag to dump waste paper, the public were seen throwing litter all around.

“We are making announcements on the public address system to ensure that the visitors adhere to the rules. We have also deployed people in various parts of the grounds to check people throwing litter. Probably, we have to create more awareness in the matter,” Mr. Ibrahim said.