Tourists allege that what’s happening in Hampi amounts to extortion. A process has begun to collect fees even though parking areas are uneven and lack basic protection for vehicles. Shockingly, charges are being levied even on vehicles merely passing through, without stopping or visiting any monuments.
There is widespread anger over the practice of charging fees indiscriminately, even bicycles are not spared, leading to heated arguments with the collectors. Despite protests, contractors who bagged the parking tender continue to demand full payment without any concession.
“Look at the pothole-ridden parking lot near Ugra Narasimha, stones and dirt are scattered everywhere, yet we must pay. Local photographers, who are ambassadors of Hampi, are also being charged. Even local autos are barred. What can be said about this system?” remarked Nagaraj Ganadal, a tourist from Bengaluru, and local photographer R. Manjappa.
Residents from nearby villages also face the same charges. “If everyone is treated equally, tourism here will only decline,” said Jambanna Metri from Hosalli.
ASI’s response: “The parking fee is meant for development work, not for personal gain. It’s true that parking areas need leveling and infrastructure improvement, but we are awaiting higher authority approvals before starting,” explained Ramakrishna Reddy, Superintendent, ASI Hampi Circle.
A person associated with the parking contractor said, “Before tendering, public objections should have been invited. Locals, rickshaws, and bicycles could have been exempted. If such a decision is taken later, the tender amount will need revision.”
Parking fee: ₹60 for buses, ₹40 for tempo travellers, ₹30 for cars, ₹20 for rickshaws, ₹10 for bikes, and ₹5 for cycles. One ticket covers all sites except the Virupaksha Temple.
Charging a parking fee for bicycles, when other countries build dedicated cycle tracks, is being called an anti-environmental move. “Even the department knows this isn’t right. We’ll take it up with the District Collector and write to ASI again,” said Prabhulinga Talakeri, Deputy Director, Tourism Department.
Rickshaw drivers protest: Local rickshaw drivers have lodged complaints with MLA H.R. Gaviyappa against these fees, but ASI has yet to issue an official order to stop the collection. Despite verbal assurances, the practice continues.
Fee for just using the road: Even vehicles driving from Rani Bath to the Underground Shiva Temple are being charged, regardless of whether they park or not. Cyclists pay ₹5 for just a kilometre, bikes ₹10, and rickshaws ₹20, a system unseen anywhere else. Tourists complain that collectors justify it by saying, “If there were no tar road, you wouldn’t have come here!”