Nuwara Eliya!Blooming in to the future or disappearing in to an abyss? NUWARA ELIYA IN APRIL: It was only natural that people gathered at this hillside resort every April of the year (which was considered the 'Tropical Summer' by British resident guests in the past) to catch the chill against a setting of blooming surroundings.
It used to be a colonial pastime and then the many Colombo's elite continued with the trend long after the British left our shores. The many settings from that era still sits as monuments but paid tribute to its grandiose by a sprinkle of high society debris that's left behind as if from an aftermath of decadence. What is observed over the years is the fact that 'April in Nuwara Eliya' has grown into a popular note and will become more so in the years to come. But are the authorities doing enough to accommodate this influx when it happens? The present hoteliers and guest house keepers are beaming to provide accommodation only for guests who can afford the fancy prices quoted by them. Most places are reluctant to give out rooms on a double or single basis.
Most places wait for the last moment when groups of 10s and 12s turn up in desperation so that the room rates can be hiked up to twelve or fifteen thousand rupees with a couple of mattresses and blankets thrown in. In one instance it was revealed that a guest house with four rooms has let them out at Rs. 15,000 per room occupied between 10 and 20 people per night. The potential the resort generates is more envisaged and catered to by the private sector, which naturally tend to over-price itself, ranging from accommodation provided to middle class holiday makers to the 'Koththu Roti' that is served by the way side at Rs. 250; it is a battle for rates.
A bottle of mineral water which is usually Rs. 20 anywhere in the island was selling at Rs. 35. Film reels usually priced in the range of Rs. 200 to Rs. 270 were sold at Rs. 400, while a cup of coffee was at Rs. 35. The town which is noted for the abundance of fruits and flowers were selling them at same rates as in Colombo. Apples at Rs. 40, Pears at 30 and a rose sold at Rs. 50. Travelling was another major hazard one faced if one did not get there in one's own mode of transport. If one arrived by train and carried a bit of luggage it was un-necessary harassment by Three Wheel drivers hanging around at the Nanu Oya railway station. They would charge sums ranging from Rs. 350 to Rs. 500 depending on the luggage. Though the usual fare is Rs. 200.
This season, with prices soaring elsewhere in the country as well, many holiday makers did not turn up at the resort until the last moment, meaning the April 13. With the dawning of the National New Year, shop keepers, inn keepers and restaurant operators showed a veil of gloom over their faces on the 12th saying that the visitors should have arrived by then as there was a weekend followed by a holiday immediately a day after, meaning the 11th Tuesday which was Prophet Mohammed's birthday. "If they don't come tomorrow then they will never turn up for the season," moaned one shop keeper and a manager of a leading hotel said that usually by the first week of the school holidays the room reservations are full by more than half.
"But this season we are only fully booked on the 13th, 14th and 15th," he said with a tinge of disappointment. What is happening in Nuwara Eliya is that the authorities concerned have not set their minds upon the large potential the resort has and how it can be exploited to generate funds for the local government authority and how holiday makers can have a better deal in return. It will be an inspiring measure if there is a method to check and maintain price levels especially during the season. The fleecing of visitors to this hill station should stop - if the city fathers believe in developing and propagating Nuwara Eliya as a meaningful and affordable abode for local holiday makers to spend their vacation with their families in more safe surroundings without falling victim to vultures at every turn during their vacation. The so called euphoria that began on April 13 declined by April 15 and 16, with one whole week to go for schools to re-open, the wonderland that usually gets crowded for over two weeks, during the season annually was already been deserted. Lake Gregory, which is an attraction and can be used by people for boat rides and other leisure activities looked badly neglected. Some dredging has been going on but has been halted mid way, which has led to large quantities of mud and garbage, probably dug out of the lake stayed in heaps around in certain parts; creating an unpleasant site to motorists driving past. The traffic arrangements were well organised and the police was brazing the tough weather to maintain the smooth flow of vehicles which was a large fleet that arrived in the hill station creating a massive traffic jam throughout the weekend. In terms of cleanliness there was a marked improvement in and around the town but the main Bus Station and its vicinity has remained half developed for a long time. Even the railway station in Nanu Oya needs to be perked up for the occasion, especially when the town is expecting large crowds to arrive on vacation. It was a personal experience of this writer once when he visited Kodaikanal, which is a popular hill station in South India. On arrival at the station there were school children handing out little notes with a flower attached to it and the note read "Welcome to Kodaikanal! Please keep our town clean, have a nice holiday" |
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