Tourists were allowed to visit the Kodaikanal Hills on Tuesday after a gap of five-and-a-half months with valid e-passes from the respective district administration.
Boating in the star-shaped lake, the main attraction in the hill station, has not been allowed. Tourist places such as Pillar Rock, Pine Forest, and Guna Cave, which come under the control of the forest department, have also not been opened so far. People in buses, two-wheelers, cars, and other vehicles were checked for e-passes at the toll gate located next to the Silver Falls. Those who came without e-passes were sent back.
The officials had stated that no e-pass is required for people from the same district and they can proceed to the hills with their address proof. An official from the horticulture department, which maintains the parks, said that only around 170 people visited the park on Tuesday. On a weekend there would be a minimum of 2,000 visitors a day, which will go up to 4,500 during summer vacation. “As per the standard operating procedure, it was ensured that people wear masks, sanitize their hands, and follow social distance.
Water and food should not be offered on the premises as per the instructions,” the official said. People dependent on the tourism industry for their livelihood felt happy about the development as they are struggling for months without income. Shopkeepers and hoteliers said that there has not been much business on day one. Decent restaurants are yet to open and are waiting to see the visitor flow for the next few days. S Abdul Kani Raja, secretary of the hoteliers association, said, “All tourist places should be opened to encourage people to visit the hill station. The E-pass system should be canceled so that footfall will increase. If these restrictions are not removed, the tourism industry will not return to normal. Instead of restriction with e-passes, the number of people at each tourist place can be regulated,” he said.
News Courtesy: ET
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