Planning a trip to Ooty or Kodaikanal? HC imposes vehicle limits!

Chennai: The Madras High Court has set limits on the number of tourist vehicles entering Ooty and Kodaikanal between April and June 2025, responding to concerns over increasing traffic and environmental strain in Tamil Nadu’s popular hill stations.

Daily limits for tourist vehicles

As per the court order:

• Ooty: 8,000 vehicles on weekends, 6,000 on weekdays
• Kodaikanal: 6,000 vehicles on weekends, 4,000 on weekdays

These restrictions, issued by a special bench of Justices N Satheesh Kumar and Bharat Chakravarthy, do not apply to:

• Public transport (buses, trains)
• Local residents’ vehicles
• Vehicles carrying agricultural produce

Additionally, the court has directed authorities to prioritise electric vehicles when issuing e-passes for entry into these ecologically sensitive areas.

Background & government response

The Tamil Nadu government informed the court that an estimated 20,000 vehicles enter the Nilgiris daily, leading to traffic congestion and environmental concerns. In response, the court had previously mandated e-passes for all vehicles entering Ooty and Kodaikanal.

To further address the issue, the government has engaged IIM-Bangalore and IIT-Madras to conduct scientific studies on the traffic capacity of the region’s bypass roads.

Traffic data & impact on tourism

According to official reports, daily vehicle entry to Nilgiris fluctuates based on the season:

• Off-season: 1,150 cars, 118 vans, 60 buses, 674 two-wheelers
• Peak season: 11,509 cars, 1,341 vans, 637 buses, 6,524 two-wheelers

These restrictions are aimed at improving traffic flow, ensuring road safety, and minimising ecological damage to the fragile hill ecosystem.

Travelers planning a visit to Ooty or Kodaikanal during the April-June period will need to check vehicle limits and apply for e-passes in advance to avoid disruptions. The focus on electric vehicles signals a push towards sustainable tourism in Tamil Nadu’s hill stations.