Amusement parks back in business

Amusement parks back in business
Dipannita Das | TNN

Bangalore: Amusement takes a different meaning altogether, in a city that witnessed serial bomb blasts just 10 days ago. Bangalore has, indeed, bounced back and the business is getting back to normal in the city’s commercial hubs. The idea of a group outing at the amusement park now comes with non-intrusive security cover, though. According to proprietors of amusement parks in the city, the agenda is not to leave anything for chance. With more security back-up at hand, the business is also looking up in these entertainment joints.
With records suggesting that attacks are potentially targeted at locations with constant public movement, the amusement parks are bracing with stringent security measures. At Lumbini Garden, on the Nagawara lake front near Hebbal, the amusement park authorities are taking help from the Hoysala police officials. Everyday, the policemen do beats and check the entire premises twice in a day to make sure that things are in order. The garden also has metal detectors and measures are being taken up to ensure that the officers on duty are on call anytime of the day.
Satish, administrator of Lumbini Garden, said business was badly hit in the first few days after the blasts. “It had a huge impact as the visitors were obviously afraid to come to these parks after the blasts. Now, the numbers are getting better and the business is almost back to normal,’’ he said. During the weekends, the park receives 1,000 to 2,000 visitors and about 500 to 1,000 visitors on weekdays.
In Wonder La, located on Mysore road, 20-30 km from Bangalore, the visitors who love water and dry rides seem to be coming back, according to the park’s administrators. “The security personnel stationed at the park check the rides, before letting in any visitor. There are also seat belts for safety in every ride,’’ said an official of the amusement park.
The park receives more than 2,000 visitors a day during the peak season. During off season, it comes down to 1,000 a day. On Sunday, it hosted about 1,500 visitors.
Another popular destination is Fun World in JC Nagar. The officials here are ensuring stringent follow-up on the guidelines as well. Metal detectors and video cameras are placed to check any untoward incident within the park premises. Shukla, an official, said the park receives about 500 visitors during the weekends and about 100 to 200 on weekdays.
MONSOON LULL
It’s not just about the blasts and the aftermath. The monsoon season has also added to a dip in the number of visitors at the city’s amusement parks. Officials at the parks said monsoons generally ring in a lean business period, with some of the parks registering footfalls that are only half of what they have during the peak season. With the security cover being promoted to win back some of the visitors, the amusement park officials hope to offset the losses in the coming days.
Seriously FUN
Amusement parks in city gear up with more security Business picking up from a dip after the blasts The monsoon adds to lull in business Hoysala checks are part of added security Metal detectors, video cameras come in handy