Munnar: With barely four months left for the purple-blue blooms of Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthianus) to envelop the hills and valleys of Munnar, the district administration and the police are making all arrangements to ensure that everything is in place.
When the flower bloomed last time, in 2006, Munnar had received around 5 lakh tourists. Authorities expect double that number to arrive this year.
Online tickets
Numerous visitors arrive at Rajamala to view the flowers in full bloom. The Forest Department’s facility for booking entry tickets online will be in place by July, said Munnar Wildlife Warden R. Lakshmi. The website will be ready by the end of next month and ticket charge will be Rs 150 online. Tickets can also be purchased from the counter, where the rate will be Rs 110. An additional Rs 300 has to be paid for video cameras and Rs 35 for still cameras. Entry time for visitors is from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm.
August blooms
The kurinji bloom for three months from August every 12 years. The best views can be had from the Eravikulam National Park. Devikulam Gap, which is part of the Chokramudi, and Mattuppetty hills are other places where the flowers are most abundant.
The new face of Munnar
Munnar panchayat and the police have initiated measures to ensure a free flow of traffic in the town during the kurinji season. As a first step, the bus stand in Munnar town has been shifted to Post Office junction.
Action will be taken to avoid snarls in Munnar market when trucks arrive, said Munnar DySP S Abhilash. Moreover, taxi-auto drivers will be issued identity cards and uniform. Around 500 police personnel will be deployed during the season.
National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has prepared a report on managing the heavy rush of tourists to the hill station which will be presented to the District Collector next week. Further measures will be launched based on the report.
Ban on roadside vendors
All street vendors from Munnar head post office to Munnar town-Periyavara and along Marayur road have been evicted. Steps have initiated to shift vehicles abandoned on the roadsides.
Basic facilities
A tourist amenity centre will be set up at Old Munnar by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). The centre will have 20 wash rooms, cafeteria, cloak room and rest rooms on two floors.
Another plan of the DTPC is to arrange a multi-level parking facility at Munnar – Devikulam road which could accommodate 600 cars.
Meanwhile, the Munnar panchayat will set up three wash rooms in Old Munnar
Bus services
A facility is being built at Ancham Mile for visitors waiting for their entry tickets spending Rs 30 lakh. Forest Department will deploy 10 buses to transport tourist from Fifth Mile to Rajamala.
Heavy booking in hotels
Hotels and resorts in and around Munnar have started accepting booking for the kurinji season.
