In Nilgiris and Kodaikanal 1. and Kodaikanal. | Photo Credit: M. Satyamoorty
The new electronic passage system, which limits the number of tourist vehicles, as commissioned by the Madras High Court, will come into operation in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal 1 April. Will remain valid until June 30.
In the Nilgiris Banner, administration announced that only 6,000 vehicles and 8,000 vehicles would be allowed to the district on weekends.
Vehicles for medical or other emergencies, government buses, vehicles for goods and district vehicles are exempt from the system competence.
However, potential travelers are confused about certain aspects of the system, although the link (for passengers who registered for electronic release was revealed on Monday.
The application form has a field for users for fuel specification of their vehicle: gasoline, diesel, CNG, electric or hybrid. The High Court stipulated that vehicles using sustainable and non -polluting fuels should be preferred when the electronic passages are granted.
Dindigulu collector S. Saravanan recently told Hindu that the main secretary had made a meeting to discuss the modalities for the court order. He pointed out that last year the administration noticed the cancellation of about 15% of the e-Pass provided. This deprived real tourists about the chance to visit the hills. Therefore, administration plans to leave the buffer for those looking for electronic release against cancellation.
Other measures would receive volume reserves under the scanner. Since the e-shops would be checked at the foot, the transport overload would prevent the Ghat road, especially the silver cascade. The collector admitted that there would be defects within the first 15 days, but would be remedied at the earliest.
The Nilgiris district administration did not specify how many of the 6,000-8,000 vehicles would be private buses, mini-buses, vans, cars and two-wheel.
The court also ordered the Nilgiris administration to identify the parking space at the foot to stop private vehicles, and electric vehicles will be operated to the most popular tourist places. However, the administration did not announce whether the parking spaces were ready.
Traders, entrepreneurs owners, taxi drivers and hotel and restaurant owners said they were planning to support the Band call throughout the district on April 2 to protest against the court order. On Sunday, a meeting with the administration of Nilgiris was held in Udhagamandalam, where entrepreneurs were asked to not continue with Bandh.
Suresh Nair, President of Nilgiris Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA), said the hotels have already made reservations (2 April); Therefore, they could not avert customers. However, NHRA would support Bandh, although hotels would remain functional. Mr. Nair said they shared their concerns with the district administration that the population vehicles were included in the number of tourist vehicles to enter the district.
“Many people in Nilgirice have cars registered in other districts and have families living here. We have emphasized our concerns that their cars will also be counted as tourist vehicles. This means that fewer e-shops will be released to real tourists,” he said. He added that the collector assured them to tell their concerns to the government.
S. Senthil, resident of Nilgiris, whose car is registered in Karnataka, said he fears that residents like him would not be allowed to enter the district because his car was registered outside Nilgiris. “Although I have identification cards to prove my registered address in Udhagamandalam, I am concerned that my car will be stopped at the border because it has a numerical plate of Karnataka,” he said.
There is air dissatisfaction in the hills of codaicanals. Some say that the number set by the court (4,000 vehicles on weekdays and 6,000 on weekends) could have occurred with regard to the number of registered hotels, cottages and families that come to more than 7,000.
Activists like Avijit Michael say that tourism cannot be the only cash cow in Kodaikanal. Alternative livelihood sources should look at the locals. Things such as chatting industry should be involved in having a year -round source of income for local residents. Therefore, the restriction should be considered a beginning that can bring further changes in the lives of people in the hills.
Published – 31 March 2025 21:38
