Pookode:With the Christmas and New Year holidays drawing crowds, En Ooru Heritage Village is witnessing an unprecedented surge in tourist footfall.

 Visitors are thronging the site to soak in the mist-laden weather and cool breeze on this hlly terrain. At present, the centre records an average of around 4,000 visitors a day. Tourists are parking their vehicles near the Pookode Veterinary College and travel to the heritage village using jeep services. The morning and evening views of En Ooru, wrapped in mist, are particularly captivating.

Meanwhile, a serious logistical problem emerged here recently after authorities restricted vehicles from dropping off passengers or turning around near the gate of the Pookode Veterinary College. For years, this site located close by the National Highway had served as a passenger drop off point and a turnaround area for vehicles heading to the En Ooru parking facility.

However, restrictions were imposed in accessing this area following beautification works near the Veterinary University gate in connection with a visit by the Kerala Governor. University authorities banned vehicle movement in the area here for two days, forcing tourists to alight on the busy National Highway and resulting in heavy traffic congestion.

Many visitors were compelled to walk long distances along the highway to reach the jeep boarding point, also prompting several tourists to leave without visiting the heritage village. Concerns were also over such restrictions during the peak tourism season could adversely impact local businesses and livelihoods.

In view of the complaints, En Ooru officials held an emergency discussion with the Vice Chancellor of the Veterinary University on Friday evening. Following this, permission was restored for vehicles to use the area and all temporary barricades were removed.