Madikeri: The Mandalpatti Jeep Owners’ and Drivers’ Association asked jeep drivers to follow the guidelines imposed by the district administration while ferrying tourists from Madikeri to Mandalpatti.Speaking to reporters, Unnikrishna, president of the Association, said that they had taken several steps to stop harassment of tourists by unauthorised jeep drivers. He confirmed that the jeep drivers had to charge Rs 2,500 only for a jeep ride from Madikeri to Mandalpatti. He also explained that the yellow-board registered jeeps will be issued numbers from the Town police station and only such jeeps were authorised to ferry tourists.
Recently, a tourist complained of exploitation, following which the authorities took corrective steps.Unnikrishna stated that the administration imposed a condition wherein tourists must be allowed to spend 1 hour at the viewpoint before being brought back. He confirmed that booking of the jeeps would be on a queue basis, and the jeep owners with yellow-board registration had to submit the necessary vehicle documents to the police department to get numbers. “Jeeps with numbers will be allowed to ferry tourists to Mandalpatti,” he stated.He added that the 150 drivers who attended the meeting held recently with the administration and police department agreed to these norms. He warned that if any additional money was received, the officials concerned will take action.Channapanda Darshan, an office bearer of the association, said that the police department will not issue numbers to vehicles without documents. He confirmed that the drivers had to charge Rs 50 per vehicle as entry fee.
