Planning your Mussoorie visit? Understand the new mandatory online check-in, entry process

Mussoorie: Tourists visiting the popular hill station of Mussoorie are now required to register their details on a new online portal developed by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, with the rule coming into effect this Wednesday. This measure, implemented at the time of check-in, aims to tackle severe overcrowding and manage increasingly heavy traffic in the picturesque town.

According to District Tourism Officer Brijendra Pandey, the new regulation is a direct response to the dramatic increase in tourist arrivals, which have nearly doubled from 11 lakh in 2022 to over 21 lakh visitors in 2024. "The move will provide real-time data on tourist footfall in the town," Pandey stated, emphasising its crucial role in better planning and management of resources and infrastructure.

The Registration Process:

For tourists planning a visit, the process involves mandatory online registration through the Uttarakhand Tourism Department's official website: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/mussoorie. Applicants are required to fill in their details using their Aadhaar card, along with their intended travel dates and accommodation information. The registration process is authenticated via an OTP (One-Time Password) sent to the registered mobile number. Upon successful completion, tourists will receive a unique QR code. This QR code is crucial for entry into Mussoorie and must be presented and verified at designated checkpoints, including Kimadi, Kempty Fall, and Kuthal Gate, which are being equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems.

All hotels, guest houses, homestays, and similar accommodation facilities in Mussoorie are mandated to first register themselves on the portal. Subsequently, they bear the responsibility of accurately registering their guests' details upon check-in, ensuring real-time data flow on tourist numbers.

The implementation of this new rule follows a directive issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in May. The NGT had specifically instructed the state government to initiate tourist registration in the hill station and submit regular data, expressing concern over Mussoorie's carrying capacity being exceeded. The tragic death of a tourist in June, reportedly due to being stuck in a traffic jam and unable to reach timely medical care, further underscored the urgency of addressing congestion and environmental strain.

While the Mussoorie Hotels Association has urged its members to comply with the new regulations, some hoteliers have voiced concerns about the potential for additional "hindrance" during peak tourist seasons, fearing it might complicate guest check-ins. Nevertheless, the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, through its Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal, previously indicated that this registration model could potentially serve as a blueprint for similar implementations in other high-pressure hill stations across the state in the future, aiming for a smoother, safer, and more sustainable tourism experience.