Picnic spots see less turnout

Visakhapatnam: Almost all the picnic spots across north coastal AP witnessed thin crowds on Sunday thanks to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.
This was the first Sunday after the announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi so the non-availability of valid currency notes is the reason for people giving picnics a miss, said sources.
“I had planned a picnic with my family in Araku on Sunday and had booked a cottage also last week. But the sudden announcement forced us to cancel the plan as I do not have enough Rs 100 notes and whatever I have will be needed for essential purposes,” said GSS Vasu, a state government employee.
B Bharati, a B.Tech student of Gitam University, had also planned a picnic with her classmates at Yarada beach, but had to cancel it due to insufficient cash. “I have a few Rs 500 notes, but they are of no use,” she said.
The ban has affected the revenue of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) also. “As per the directions from the central government, we have stopped accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. But the visitors kept on arguing with the staff as to why we were not accepting them. I hope the issue will be solved by next Sunday,” said Ali Mashadi, assistant curator of IGZP.
The less turnout of picnickers has also had an impact on traders as well as the APSRTC. Speaking to TOI, APSRTC regional manager G Sudesh Kumar said usually they earn nearly Rs 85 lakh per day from passengers in entire Visakhapatnam region. “But on Sunday, we earned Rs 70-75 lakh. During the picnic season, revenue in Vizag city on a Sunday is nearly Rs 45-50 lakh, but today we earned less than Rs 35 lakh,” he said, adding that the figures clearly indicate the severe impact the announcement has had on them.
Some of the busiest picnic spots in north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam are Kailasagiri Hills, Vuda Park, Indira Gandhi National Zoological Park, Kambalakonda, Yarada beach, Araku Valley, Borra Caves, Punya Giri in S Kota of Vizianagaram, Donubai in ITDA Seethampeta of Srikakulam, Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam, Bheemili and Pachipenta.