Madras High Court Limits Tourist Vehicles In Ooty & Kodaikanal Amid Overcrowding

Chennai: If you are planning a summer vacation to the Nilgiris (Ooty) or Kodaikanal, both picturesque hill destinations in Tamil Nadu, then watch out, especially if you plan to travel by a tourist vehicle. With the hills bursting at their seams, the Madras High Court has now fixed a cap on the number of tourist vehicles that can enter these destinations.

In an order, Justices Sathish Kumar and Bharatha Chakravarthy, said only 6,000 tourist vehicles can enter Nilgiris during weekdays and the number will be capped at 8,000 during weekends. In the case of Kodaikanal, the cap is 4,000 vehicles per day on weekdays and 6,000 vehicles daily during weekends. These restrictions will be in force from April to June this year.

There will be no restrictions on tourists who arrive by trains and government buses. Local residents and essential commodity vehicles will be allowed to pass through without restrictions.

The tourists have to get an e-pass, which shall be given free of cost but preference will be given for those using e-vehicles.