Hike in entry ticket prices for monuments and museums in Telangana

The entry ticket prices for monuments and museums under the care of Department of Archaeology and Museum in Telangana have been hiked from ₹10 to ₹20. However, charges for use of mobile phone and camera have been kept unchanged at ₹50.

“We don’t get anything for ₹10. It is only fair that the ticket prices have been raised since June 11. This is happening after nearly 15 years,” said an official at the Qutb Shahi Tombs complex on Monday.

However, everyone is not so sanguine about the revised tariff. “Limiting people’s access to a public space with a mobile phone is not fair. Everyone likes to see through their mobile phones and share memories. Charging them ₹50 for it will affect their experience,” says a visitor, who was among the first to notice the change.

The raised ticket prices have come into immediate force across the State. The sharpest hike is in the parking rates for four-wheelers. While the charge for parking a car used to be ₹50, it is now ₹200. However, electrical and CNG vehicles parking cost is ₹100.

“People who have drivers are already parking them away from the site. We have raised concern about the higher parking rates,” said a tourist guide at the site.

“Enhancement of entry fee for visitors/film shooting etc utilisation of amount received through ticketing/film shooting for maintenance of monuments and museums (sic),” read a notice, justifying the raised tariff.

In Hyderabad, the three most visited tourist places are under the Central government with the Golconda Fort and Charminar under the care of Archaeological Survey of India and the Salar Jung Museum under the Department of Culture. With the raised ticket money funnelled into the upkeep of museums and monuments, the sites under Department of Archaeology and Museum can hope to turn a corner.