Kodaikanal will welcome tourists from today: Collector

Kodaikanal will welcome tourists from today: Collector

‘Those applying for e-pass can now click on tourist category’

09/09/2020

Initially, only Bryant Park, Rose Garden and Chettiar Park will open for tourists.G. KARTHIKEYAN

Special Correspondent Dindigul

Tourists from other districts can visit Kodaikanal from Wednesday, Dindigul Collector M. Vijayalakshmi said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Collector said that following representations from applicants intending to visit the hill station and various trade and tourist associations, the district administration had proposed to permit people from other districts to enter Kodaikanal from Wednesday.

The Collector said from now, those applying for e-passes to Kodaikanal could click on the “tourist” category that was not provided earlier on the online application. The government had earlier accorded permission only for marriages, deaths and return of stranded persons to return. Health authorities in Kodaikanal said that initially, only three tourist spots — Bryant Park, Rose Garden and Chettiar Park — would open for tourists. Other locations, including Berijam Lake and Green Valley View, among others, would open in a phased manner after consultation with Forest Departments officials and others.

Similarly, for residents from Dindigul district, a valid identity card (preferably Aadhaar card) would be sufficient for entering the hill station, officials said, and added that based on the arrival of tourists and the level of cooperation from them, the next phase of relaxations would be considered.

Kodaikanal Hotel Owners’ Association president Abdul Gani Raja welcomed the move. “After five months, we are now hopeful of revival. People started enquiring from September 1, but tourists were unable to get e-passes then,” he said. The association, he said, would cooperate with officials.

However, eco-conscious people and residents expressed reservations and described the move as hasty.