Alarm raised over ageing safari vehicles

20 tourists, including a seven-month-old child, stranded in the jungle for more than an hour after their safari canter broke down, nearly four kilometres from the park’s exit

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

In the wake of tourists getting stranded inside the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) after their safari vehicle broke down, tourism stakeholders are raising an alarm over the growing number of ageing diesel-powered canters operating in the park, many of which are more than a decade old.

The incident that occurred in Zone 6 of the park Saturday evening saw 20 tourists, including a seven-month-old child, stranded in the jungle for more than an hour after their safari canter broke down, nearly four kilometres from the park’s exit.

The situation was further exacerbated by a guide who allegedly abandoned the group, leaving the tourists in panic as darkness descended. However, park authorities said the guide had gone to seek help. With darkness falling, heated exchanges broke out between the tourists and the guide, parts of which were recorded. The tourists were finally escorted out of the park after they were stranded for more than an hour.