Nilgiris police have announced new traffic restrictions from May 1 for vehicles heading to Ooty to manage congestion during the summer festival, with diversions, parking rules and time limits for heavy vehicles.
The Nilgiris district police have announced a set of new traffic restrictions for vehicles travelling to Ooty, ahead of the upcoming summer festival, in a bid to manage heavy tourist inflow and reduce congestion.
According to an official statement, the revised traffic arrangements will come into effect from May 1, with specific route diversions and parking regulations introduced for tourist vehicles entering the hill station.
Tourist cars travelling from Mettupalayam to Ooty will be diverted at Katteri junction and routed through Selas, Kethala, Katteri Dam, Ketti Palada, Lovedale and Manjanakkorai before entering Ooty via Burnhill.
Tourist buses, vans and maxi cabs heading towards Gudalur and Thoppakadu from Mettupalayam will be diverted at Lovedale junction and guided through Lovedale Railway Station, Gandhi Nagar, Manjanakkorai and Finger Post towards Gudalur.
Vehicles arriving from Coonoor, including tourist buses and maxi cabs, will not be allowed into the town and must park at the Aavin parking area. Tourists will be transported to key locations using government shuttle buses.
Similarly, vehicles coming from Kotagiri will be stopped at a temporary parking facility near the Government Arts College, from where passengers can use government transport services to reach tourist destinations.
All tourist vehicles travelling from Ooty to Mettupalayam will be required to take the Kotagiri route. Authorities have also clarified that vehicles will not be permitted to use the Coonoor–Burliyar route under any circumstances.
Vehicles coming from Gudalur will be halted at designated parking zones near the HPF Golf area, with onward travel arranged through shuttle services. Light vehicles reaching Thalakunda will be diverted via Kozhipannai Pudur and St Stephen’s Church route.
In addition, heavy vehicles, except those carrying essential commodities such as milk, petroleum and cooking gas, will not be allowed to enter Ooty town between 8 am and 9 pm.
Police officials stated that these measures are aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow, enhancing tourist safety and preventing overcrowding during the peak summer season.
According to an official statement, the revised traffic arrangements will come into effect from May 1, with specific route diversions and parking regulations introduced for tourist vehicles entering the hill station.
Tourist cars travelling from Mettupalayam to Ooty will be diverted at Katteri junction and routed through Selas, Kethala, Katteri Dam, Ketti Palada, Lovedale and Manjanakkorai before entering Ooty via Burnhill.
Tourist buses, vans and maxi cabs heading towards Gudalur and Thoppakadu from Mettupalayam will be diverted at Lovedale junction and guided through Lovedale Railway Station, Gandhi Nagar, Manjanakkorai and Finger Post towards Gudalur.
Vehicles arriving from Coonoor, including tourist buses and maxi cabs, will not be allowed into the town and must park at the Aavin parking area. Tourists will be transported to key locations using government shuttle buses.
Similarly, vehicles coming from Kotagiri will be stopped at a temporary parking facility near the Government Arts College, from where passengers can use government transport services to reach tourist destinations.
All tourist vehicles travelling from Ooty to Mettupalayam will be required to take the Kotagiri route. Authorities have also clarified that vehicles will not be permitted to use the Coonoor–Burliyar route under any circumstances.
Vehicles coming from Gudalur will be halted at designated parking zones near the HPF Golf area, with onward travel arranged through shuttle services. Light vehicles reaching Thalakunda will be diverted via Kozhipannai Pudur and St Stephen’s Church route.
In addition, heavy vehicles, except those carrying essential commodities such as milk, petroleum and cooking gas, will not be allowed to enter Ooty town between 8 am and 9 pm.
Police officials stated that these measures are aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow, enhancing tourist safety and preventing overcrowding during the peak summer season.