Munnar in need of rush plan

KOTTAYAM: A master plan to restructure Munnar town to help it cope with the tourist rush was suggested by  the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). According to rough estimates, around eight lakh tourists, both domestic and foreign, may visit Munnar in Neelakurinji season which begins in August. In 2006, a total of 3.5.lakh tourists had visited the place. The NATPAC study, which will be submitted to the government,   said that the town does not have proper infrastructure facilities which  hinder its development.

It has suggested restructuring the traffic, road development, construction of a bypass, elevated structures, pedestrian crossing and parking spots. “As of now, there are no escape routes in case of  traffic congestion. The town is not able to handle the heavy pressure of the population and vehicles,”  Mr S. Shahin, senior scientist and head of the traffic and transportation division of the NATPAC,  told this newspaper. The state tourism department had asked the  NATPAC to conduct a study on Munnar development  in 2016. However, the study reached nowhere. 

The NATPAC said the vehicles exceeding seven seats should not enter the town. After 3,500 vehicles enter it, no other vehicles should be permitted, it said.   The study also said  that  trucks and goods vehicles should not be allowed to enter the town from 7 am to 8 am. It said a task force similar to the one at Sabarimala should be set up at Munnar for security during the Neelakurinji season.