Planning a trip to Ooty or Kodaikanal? Don’t forget your e-pass | Details inside

If you're heading to Kodaikanal or Ooty this festive season, be prepared: the e-pass requirement for the Nilgiris has been extended indefinitely. Initially scheduled to end on September 30, this regulation now means that if you're driving to these hill stations in a vehicle not registered in the Nilgiris District, you must obtain an e-pass. However, vehicles registered locally are exempt from this requirement.

For those travelling in October or later, it's crucial to ensure you have this document on hand. Earlier this year, the Tamil Nadu government mandated that tourists driving into hill stations between May 6 and June 30 must secure an e-pass. 

Why e-pass is made mandatory?

The Madras High Court has extended the requirement for popular destinations such as Kodaikanal and Ooty due to environmental concerns and the need to assess visitor numbers in the area.

Bengaluru IIM and Chennai IIT have been tasked with studying the maximum daily vehicle capacity. The court's decision to extend the e-pass requirement follows this, aimed at managing tourist inflows effectively.

While there are no restrictions on tourist visits to Kodaikanal and Ooty, e-pass remains mandatory for those bringing vehicles. All requests for e-pass are accepted. Residents and bus passengers are exempt from this requirement. E-passes are issued at designated check posts upon submission of necessary documents, facilitated through a QR code scanning system.

How to apply for an e-pass

If you’re planning a trip, you can apply for an e-pass through the official website at epass.tnega.org. During the application process, you’ll need to provide information such as the number of passengers, vehicle type, fuel type, dates of entry and exit, the purpose of your visit, and your address.