Tourists suffer as entry fee centers remain closed in Mahabalipuram

CHENNAI: Domestic and foreign tourists, who visited Mahabalipuram to see the ancient monuments, suffered due to the closure of entry fee centers.

The three entry fee centers in three ancient monuments — Shore temple, Krishna's Butter Ball, and the Pancha Rathas — were closed yesterday, saying that they had run out of paper rolls to print entry tickets.

The archaeological department had advised tourists, who visited the ancient monuments, to register their tickets through online transactions.

Tourists and social activists have urged the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to ensure that the entry centre has been shut down due to the fact that the printing paper roll has run out as the Mamallapuram Shore temple has the distinction of overtaking the Taj Mahal in the recent past.

Meanwhile, Chengalpattu and Mahabalipuram will have new bus stands as the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has decided to study feasibility and prepare designs. According to a CMDA document, two bus stands will be constructed after necessary consultations with transport department and under public private partnership.