Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw slams ‘primitive’ service at Kabini lodge; Twitterati has mixed response

BENGALURU: Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s tweet on Monday on the quality of services at Jungle Lodges and Resorts’ (JLR) prime property in Kabini has triggered a debate on social media.

Shaw tweeted:

This prompted people from different walks of life, who have used the government-run facility, to share their experiences. While some of them blatantly criticised the JLR for being too expensive and offering poor services, others showered praise while some others blamed guests for expecting more from a nature resort.





When one tweet pointed out that the JLR has earned much praise, including from Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn, Shaw joined the debate to say that the facility was well-run until 10 years ago. She herself gave it glowing reviews 15 years ago, when Papa Weikfield (who was the manager since it was founded) was alive, she said.

Vijaya Sharma, managing director of JLR, told ET that Trip Advisor rates JLR accommodations 4.5 on a scale of 5. “A large percentage, 52% of the reviewers, have rated Kabini River Lodge as excellent while 37% have rated it as a very good. Being in the hospitality sector, there is always scope for improvement. Hence all criticisms are taken in the right spirit to bring about a positive change in services,” he said.

Tourism minister SR Mahesh was not available for comment.

The state government-run JLR has a history of nearly four decades. A brainchild of the late chief minister R Gundu Rao, it was the only lodge in the state when it was established in 1980. Now, JLR runs 16 resorts in the forests across the state.