Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 26: Even though the Tulip Garden here has been officially closed to the public, tourists can be seen flocking in huge numbers to catch a fading glimpse of the tulips.
On a daily basis since the closure, tourists have been reaching the garden, urging the authorities to allow them to enter and have one last look.
However, amid this, tourists are alleging that despite coming from different places, they are not being allowed to visit the garden.
Some tourists also allege that they paid the entry fee without receiving receipts, while others claim they were denied entry despite repeated requests.
“I have come here from Kolkata and wanted to visit the garden, but I was not allowed to go inside. Several others, after paying the entry fee, were allowed to enter. I didn’t feel good about it and had to leave disheartened,” said one tourist.
On the other hand, officials from the Floriculture Department stated that tourists who reach the garden fervently request entry, leaving them with no option.
“On a daily basis, we witness a rush of tourists here. Just yesterday, we had to call the police. The garden is officially closed, and no one is collecting entry fees from visitors,” the officials explained.
They added that the tulip bloom is gone and there is nothing to see in the tulip garden for the general public or the tourists.
Pertinent to mention here, the garden was thrown open on March 23 and in a month, welcomed over 4 lakh tourists. On April 23, the Floriculture Department announced its closure for the general public from April 24, marking an end to the Tulip Show-2024.
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