Daijiworld Media Network- Shivamogga

Shivamogga, Aug 30: Tourists visiting Chikkamagaluru’s most sought-after hill spots — Mullayanagiri, Seethalayanagiri, Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah, and Manikyadhara — will face strict entry regulations from Sunday, September 1, as the district administration has imposed limits on vehicle movement to ease congestion and ensure safety on the narrow ghat roads.

A meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner, who also heads the District Tourism Development Committee and the District Disaster Management Authority, resolved to cap the number of vehicles entering the routes at 600 per slot per day. Two time slots have been fixed — 6 am to 12 noon (Parking Spot 1) and 1 pm to 6 pm (Parking Spot 2).

As per the new regulations, only a fixed number of vehicles will be permitted in each slot:

• 100 two-wheelers

• 100 auto rickshaws

• 100 local yellow-board taxis

• 50 Tempo Travellers

• 50 ten-seater Toofan vehicles

• 300 tourist cars, jeeps, and SUVs

Officials clarified that private buses and mini buses will not be allowed, citing accident risks and traffic bottlenecks on the hill stretches. The restrictions are also applicable to vehicles belonging to tourists staying in homestays, resorts, and other nearby accommodations.

Further, the tourism department has made online booking and advance payment of entry fees mandatory. Tourists must complete the process through the official district website before their visit.

The new move is aimed at regulating the growing tourist inflow, reducing traffic snarls, and ensuring a safer experience for visitors at these picturesque destinations.