In a bid to control the influx of tourists and protect the ecosystem of the Nilgiris, the Madras High Court has mandated the use of an e-pass system for visitors to Ooty and Kodaikanal. Effective from May 7, 2024, to June 30, 2024, this new requirement aims to regulate tourism flow during the peak season.
The e-pass was introduced by a special division bench comprising Justices D Bharatha Chakravarthy and N Sathish Kumar. It was to address the challenges posed by the influx of tourists in the hill stations.
However, there is no cap on the issuance of e-passes, and local residents are exempt from this regulation, as per a Times of India news report.
