Though the Kurumbapatti Zoological Park was recently given a facelift at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh, the number of visitors has not increased because of the battered road from the Chettichavadi Pirivu for a stretch of about three km.
55 species
The zoo, which is about 13 k.m. away from Salem is located at the foot of Shevaroys Hills on a sprawling 31.38 acres with over 55 species of birds and animals.
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But the road — full of potholes, unnecessary speed breakers and uncovered roads dug up for pipeline crossings — has become unfit for travel by two-wheelers of four-wheelers, from Mariamman Kovil to the Zoo entrance.
Battling all these odds, about 100 to 200 tourists visit the zoo on any day.
Though it is an additional five k.m. route, few visitors use the Yercaud Ghat Road and take the left-side road after crossing the Forest Check Post to reach the zoo.
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“It is a long pending demand by villagers and visitors to the zoo, to have a road for convenient commuting, but no steps have been taken for many years now,” said villagers living on the road.
They also say that lorries carrying magnesite use the road frequently and cause damage to the surface.
“Only if the roads are proper, will tourist inflow increase,” said a visitor, who, after travelling on the pothole-riddled roads, entered the zoo.
During rainy season, the number of visitors to the zoo falls sharply as people are not able to use the damaged roads, making transportation difficult.
Proposal
Officials said that though a proposal was sent to the government for re-laying the road, they are yet to receive any communication from the authorities.
The city lacks entertainment activities or amusement zones and hence the only place for hangout for family and children is the zoo.
Hence, in larger interest of the society, people living in the region wanted the roads to be re-laid at the earliest.