Tourists from across the country and abroad were unable to enter the precincts of the famous Sun Temple at Konark for the second consecutive day today due to protests over hike in entry fee by ASI.
Members of Konark Surakhya Samiti (KSS), a local outfit, locked the ticket counter and staged a demonstration at the main gate making the 13th century temple out of bounds for hundreds of tourists.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had last month announced three-fold hike for domestic visitors and 100 per cent for foreign tourists for entry into the historic monuments across the country, including Konark temple.
The ticket price was increased from Rs 10 to Rs 30 for domestic visitors, while for foreign tourists it was doubled from Rs 250 to Rs 500.
The KSS activists demanded roll back in ticket prices. "We will continue to protest until the ASI rolls back the hike in the entry fee," said Ramakrushna Mohanty, secretary of KSS.
ASI authorities have been informed of the development, N K Nayak, an ASI officer posted at Puri, said.
