Ooty summer festival: Traffic diversions announced

UDHANGAMANDALAM: The Nilgiris district police have announced major traffic diversions in Udhagamandalam from May 1, 2026, to manage the heavy congestion expected during the Ooty summer festival and ensure the safety of tourists, while facilitating smooth movement for local residents.According to a press release issued by Nilgiris superintendent of police Nisha, all tourist cars arriving from Mettupalayam must turn left at Kattery Junction and proceed via Selas, Kenthala, Kattery Dam, Ketti Palada, Kollimalai and Lovedale to enter Ooty town through Manjanakorai and Barnhill.Tourist vehicles returning from Ooty to the plains must travel only via Kotagiri Road. Only a few exempted vehicles would be allowed through Wellington Black Bridge or Kattabettu.

Tourist vehicles would not be permitted to descend via the Coonoor-Burliar route unless specifically allowed.Buses, vans, cars and maxi cabs heading to Gudalur or Theppakadu must turn left at Lovedale Junction and proceed via Lovedale Railway Station, Lovedale Police Station Junction, Gandhi Nagar, Manjanakorai, Barnhill, Kandhal Triangle and Fingerpost to reach Gudalur.Police have set up temporary parking hubs to reduce the number of large vehicles on Ooty’s narrow internal roads.

Tourist buses and maxi cabs arriving from Coonoor could be parked at Aavin parking lot. Vehicles coming from Kotagiri side would be directed to the temporary parking ground at Govt Arts College. Buses and maxi cabs from Gudalur could be parked in the HPF Golf Road area.From May 1, all heavy commercial vehicles would be barred from entering Ooty town from 8am to 9pm. However, this restriction would not apply to the vehicles carrying essential commodities such as milk, petroleum products and cooking gas.