E-pass system in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal turns out to be a smooth affair on day one

Nilgiris/Kodaikanal: The e-pass system for vehicles entering Nilgiris and Kodaikanal that came into effect on Tuesday turned out to be a smooth affair by and large.

While there was occasional queuing up of vehicles heading to Kodaikanal at the check posts, it was relatively hassle free on the Nilgiris border, but for a technical glitch.

Vehicles entering the Nilgiris district were checked for e-passes at Kallar on the Mettupalayam–Coonoor road and near the forest department's timber depot on the Mettupalayam–Kotagiri road. Those without e-passes were facilitated to get on-the-spot e-passes at the check posts.

The Madras high court made e-pass mandatory for non-residents of the Nilgiris district to enter the hill town, restricting the number of vehicles on weekdays to 6,000 and on weekends to 8,000. For Kodaikanal, 4,000 e-passes will be allowed on weekdays and 6,000 on weekends. The e-pass system will be in effect until June 30.

At Kallar, revenue staff waiting under a makeshift shed verified the e-passes, while another team checked the vehicles if plastic bottles were being taken uphill. Nilgiris collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru inspected the arrangements. While the vehicles with e-passes had to wait for up to 10 minutes to complete the checks, those without e-passes had to wait a little longer to obtain e-passes on the spot and proceed. There was a technical glitch at Kallar check post at noon, as the govt portal showed that the upper limit of 6,000 vehicles had been reached. A few vehicles were sent away. However, it was sorted out and vehicles were allowed later.

"A boom barrier will be installed at Kallar check post soon, and the vehicles' registration number plates will be scanned automatically to open the barrier. We are going to install the boom barriers at other check posts soon," the Nilgiris collector said.

Meanwhile, Ayyampulli check post near Palani and Kamakkapatti check post near Batlagundu were crowded with vehicles heading to Kodaikanal, as they were stopped for checking. The interception led to piling up of vehicles and minor traffic disruptions. However, the process did not affect the influx of tourists to the hill stations.

"If the number of people applying for e-pass exceeds the permitted number, those applications will be placed on a waitlist and will be prioritised in case of vacancies on the day," said S Saravanan, Dindigul district collector.

The officials said the govt buses, goods vehicles, vehicles for medical or other emergencies, and vehicles from the Nilgiris district and Kodaikanal don't need an e-pass to enter the hill stations.

Traders, hoteliers and resort owners in the hill stations said the e-pass system would not affect their business.

Nilgiris/Kodaikanal: The e- pass system for vehicles entering Nilgiris and Kodaikanal which came into effect on Tuesday turned out to be a smooth affair, by and large.

While there was occasional queuing up of vehicles heading to Kodaikanal at the checkposts, it was relatively hassle free at Nilgiris border, but for a technical glitch.

Vehicles entering Nilgiris district were checked for e-passes at Kallar on the Mettupalayam–Coonoor road and near the forest department's timber depot on the Mettupalayam–Kotagiri road. Those without e-passes were facilitated to get on-the-spot e-passes at the checkposts.

Ayyampulli checkpost near Palani and Kamakkapatti checkpost near Batlagundu were crowded with vehicles heading to Kodaikanal as they were stopped for checking. The interception lead to piling up of vehicles and minor traffic disruptions. However, the process did not affect the influx of tourists to the hill stations.

The Madras high court made e-pass mandatory for non-residents of the Nilgiris to enter the hill town restricting the number of vehicles entering the hill station on weekdays to 6,000 and on weekends upto 8,000. For Kodaikanal 4,000 e-passes will be allowed on weekdays and 6,000 on weekends. The system will be in effect until June 30.

"If the number of people applying for e-pass exceeds the permitted number, then those applications will be placed on a waitlist and will be prioritised in case of vacancies on the day," said S Saravanan, Dindigul collector.