Almatti (
Vijayapura): The Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam popularly known as
Almatti Dam, is set to welcome tourists from October 19.
The gardens, which was shut from March 15 because of the pandemic, is now having a trial run.
Suresh H, chief engineer, Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL), Dam Zone, Almatti, told STOI that Vijayapura deputy commissioner P Sunil Kumar has been allowed to open the gardens. "We have been having trail runs from last week and have completed minor repairs. Arrangements have been made for thermal scanning social distancing will be mainatined visitors. We have put posters on the precautions to be taken. The local medical shop will have a dedicated counter to sell masks and sanitizers. The laser show will see two persons seated in a row instead of the usual three," he explained.
The musical fountain, laser show, rock garden, Krishna, Lava-Kusha, Moghul, Italian and French gardens have been tested and are ready for the opening on Monday. Tourists can stay here from morning to evening. However, local guest houses will not function.
Basavaj Allolli, president, Gajanan Yuvak Mandal, Almatti Dam Site, welcomed the move to open the gardens. "As the gardens were shut, all business and tourism activities had come to a halt in Almatti, Nidagundi, Yalgur and surrounding villages. Hopefully, taxi service, hotels and shops and
businesses will slowly bounce back," he added.
Andani Tolamatti, a coffee vendor at the dam entrance, said he was closed for seven months. "All the shopkeepers in the area are cleaning their shops and preparing to serve visitors," he added happily.
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) opened its tourist bungalow from Septemeber 24 on hill-lock of Sitimani Hills. Accomodation can be booked online on KSTDC website.