Twenty two physically challenged students of district disabled residential school here in Daltonganj were the proud tourists to travel free on the tourists’ bus run by the Palamu tiger reserve.
The inaugural trip to the physically-challenged students was provided by Director of Project Tiger Palamu AS Rawat.
Giving this information DFO Core of the PTR AK Mishra said AS Rawat was very keen to send these physically challenged students free by this bus on its inaugural trip and it was honoured properly. The disabled children were spell bound. They were all thankful to PTR for this free trip.
AK Mishra is considered the brain behind to re-start the bus service which stood parked for many years in Betla. Sources said Mishra got this bus on road in less than 100 days of his joining here in PTR as its DFO Core.
Mishra said though the inaugural trip of this bus was slated for 9 am today morning but it rolled down around 1.50 pm.
He said the physically challenged students took time to get ready as in the first instance they declined this free offer but on second thought agreed to go. Because of this, precious hours were lost but since it was the maiden journey of this bus such situations were expected to come, said Mishra.
The PTR's bus service to Kechki, Betla and Palamu Quila is to come twice a week Saturday and Sunday said Mishra. And the fare for up and down journey is just 50 rupees per traveler.
At Kechki there is the confluence of the two rivers the Oranga and the Koyal. Betla is the house of wild life. And Palamu Quilla is a witness to the glorious history of this Chero ruled Palamu.
Sources said as the law and order scenario has improved tourists are now feel free to go to the Quila. There was a time when tourists were warned not to dream of going to Quila even.
A contingent of CRPF is based at Betla and the presence of central para-military force has boosted a sense of security among the tourists here added sources.
Speaking to The Pioneer Mishra said this PTR bus service will give a shot to tourism here. Festive season is on and people of this division will love going to scenic spots at a notional charge of Rs50.
A delicious ice cream costs more than the Rs50 trip per person to the world of rivers, flora and fauna.
The directorate office of the project tiger here has started advance booking for this PTR's tourist bus.