Christmas rush: Odisha’s Nandankanan witnesses record footfall

Bhubaneswar: The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) on the outskirts of Odisha capital is set to bid adieu to 2017 in a grand style as over 39,000 visitors turned up at the zoo today.

According to NZP Deputy Director Jayant Kumar Das, as many as 39, 635 visitors visited the zoological park.

The zoo has been continuously receiving a large number of visitors from all corners of the State and outside as the New Year approaches.

State Botanical Garden (SBG) in the city, which also attracts large number of tourists during this time, too witnessed good footfalls. “The SBG has recorded footfall around 4696,” Das added.

Authorities are hoping to see visitors’ footfall in the zoo touching new high in the coming days as tourists and picnickers often chose NZP as one of their favourite destination during Christmas.

Keeping this in mind, the authorities of NZP and Botanical garden have decided to open on next two Mondays – December 25 and January 1.

The zoo will remain closed on December 26 and January 2, both fall on Tuesdays, instead of the coming Mondays.