No cash payment for tickets at Chhatbir Zoo

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 6

Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, also known as Chhatbir Zoo, which remained closed since March 17 due to the pandemic, is all set to reopen for public from December 10.

Safety measures in place

• The link for booking online tickets is available on the zoo website, chhatbirzoo.gov.in.
• QR code system and PoS machines will also be available at the booking counters.
• Entry tickets will be valid only for two hours after entering the zoo.
• A disinfection squad will frequently sanitise railings, barricades and public amenities.

Officials said the zoo would reopen for visitors with strict guidelines. We would accept only online booking and cashless payments. People above 65 years and children below 5 had been requested not to visit the zoo. He said the link for booking online tickets was available on the zoo website (chhatbirzoo.gov.in). QR code system and PoS machines would also be available at the booking counters. Entry tickets would be valid only for two hours after entering the zoo.

He said a maximum of 2,700 visitors would be allowed to enter the zoo, which would remain open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. There would be three slots of 900 persons each in three shifts.

In between the shifts, the zoo premises would be sanitised during a half-hour break. A disinfection squad would frequently sanitise railings, barricades and public amenities.

Zoo officials said initially battery-operated carts (ferry) with the charter system would only be allowed for a family or related persons, who might reserve the full cart. Single-use plastic would be banned inside the zoo. Minimum cash transactions would be allowed in the outsourced facilities such as parking, canteen and carts. M Sudhagar, Field Director of the zoo, said: “Visitors will have to wear a mask inside the premises. In case anyone forgets to bring the mask, he/she can purchase it from a counter at the entrance. The visitors will also have to pass through the medicated foot mat at the entrance to the zoo”.

The authorities have decided not to open the reptile house, nocturnal house and lion and deer safaris in the initial days. The zoo, which is spread over 505 acres, is home to around 1,500 animals and birds.