Three agencies in race to host Pooppoli Flower Festival in Wayanad

Ambalavayal: The auctioning process to select the agency for organising the Pooppoli flower festival at the Regional Agricultural Research Station here has entered its final stages. Three agencies have come forward expressing interest, with the base amount fixed at ₹1.75 crore.

Last year, the festival was awarded to an event management company for ₹1.36 crore. This year, however, the base amount has been increased to ₹1.75 crore. August 29 was the last date to submit expressions of interest, and three agencies filed applications. Authorities have informed that a final decision on which agency will be awarded the contract for conducting the event will be made by September 9.

The auctioning this time has been initiated earlier than usual, considering that the announcement of local body elections could affect the proceedings. The move also aims to give the winning agency adequate time for preparations. Only after the auctioning process is complete can tender proceedings and related works at the Pooppoli grounds be taken up by the Regional Agricultural Research Station.

The guidelines for organisers stipulate that the maximum ticket fare can be ₹75 for adults and ₹30 for children. Last year, the hike in ticket fare from ₹50 to ₹60 for adults sparked protests. Although the hike was initially justified as a relief measure for landslide victims in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, it was later clarified that this was not the case, which triggered controversy. Following this, the Agricultural University directed the event management agency that organised Pooppoli last year to hand over a portion of its share to the landslide victims.

This year, the guidelines already include permission by the university for a fare increase, enabling the organisers to charge up to ₹75 per adult.