Mysuru Dasara: Tonga, auto drivers make a killing on illuminated roads

Mysuru: The illumination of over 130km and numerous circles in Mysuru has become a gold mine for some auto and tonga drivers. The city is witnessing a sea of tourists and locals at night, eager to enjoy the special illumination. These drivers have been capitalising on the night-time demand from tourists eager to see the city's illuminated roads.
Charging between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,000 per hour, these drivers are making a significant profit, although heavy traffic jams are slowing down the tours, with tourists struggling to cover even eight-nine kilometres during the night.
The city is illuminated between 7pm and 11pm as part of the Dasara celebrations. According to a tonga driver who has been operating in the city for the last four decades, the minimum fare for a tonga ride after 6.30 pm now starts at Rs 1,500 and can go up to Rs 4,500, depending on the road the tourists prefer and the duration. "There are two kinds of tongas in the city: Mysuru Shah Pasand tongas, which ferry four persons at a time, and bigger tongas. The average charge is Rs 600 for Shah Pasand tongas, while it is Rs 800 for bigger tongas. But the fare has increased several folds during illumination," he said.
"Demanding Rs 200 or Rs 300 extra is fair, but there is no meaning in exploiting the tourists," he added.
Auto drivers are also demanding hefty fares for city rounds during the night. With the CBD roads witnessing heavy traffic jams, they prefer charging by the hour instead of the number of kilometres covered. "We may cover fewer kilometres in an hour due to the traffic jams and diversions, but our revenue per hour remains the same. In double-decker buses, Rs 500 is charged per person for a one-hour ride. We are also charging on the same lines," said Sangappa Bisagol, an auto driver.
Sowmya S, another auto driver, said the charges depend on the drivers. "But during the illumination time, riding an auto on the city roads is difficult," she said.
"Those who book autos for the city illumination come in large numbers. They frequently change roads according to the lighting attractions. The traffic jams add to the pressure on the auto drivers. All these need to be considered. Our responsibility is to ensure that the passengers are satisfied with good service. I keep separate boxes in my auto to ensure that no passenger throws any waste on the road," she added.