Tourists planning a trip to Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu will now require e-passes to enter these hill stations from May 7 to June 30, 2024. This regulation aims to manage tourist influx and preserve the Nilgiris’ ecosystem. The Madras High Court has issued this directive in response to the challenges posed by tourism surges. Locals are exempt from this requirement.
The Tamil Nadu government has tasked the Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore (IIM-B) and the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M) with conducting studies to establish the carrying capacity of the ghat roads leading to the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal, respectively. This move aims to regulate the number of vehicles and tourists entering these hill stations, ensuring sustainable tourism practices.
