Andhra Pradesh: Guides and tourist unhappy over hike of entry ticket at Borra Caves

VISAKHAPATNAM: Guides at Borra Caves and tourists expressed anguish over the price increase of entry ticket at the Borra Caves, one of the tourist attractions under Ananthagiri Mandal in ASR district. The entry ticket for adults increased from Rs 70 to Rs 80 and the entry ticket for children increased from Rs 50 to Rs 60.

Speaking to TOI, President of Guides at Borra Caves, Killo Somesh said that the APTDC increased the prices for no-reason and the increase of the entry tickets is a burden for the common tourists.

The traffic to the caves for the past few days was 6,000 per day and it may increase to 12,000 per day in the peak season. The gate collection at the Borra Caves on Thursday was over Rs 3.7 lakh.

We (tribal people) have been working as guides for over two-decades, but the wages and facilities promised to us by the department have not been delivered so far. Eight of the 20 guides are no more. We were promised 20 percent of the revenue accrued from sale of the ticket commission, but it was not implemented, and our wages is still Rs 19,000 per month even after over two decades of experience, said Somesh. The government has increased the entry ticket prices but ignored the increase in wages of guides, Somesh added.

The government has been getting revenue through tourism in the region and has failed to spend any money on development of the neighbouring areas. We will intensify our protest in the coming days to fulfil our demands, Somesh added.