(with pic)

The Munnar panchayat has decided to impose a surcharge on vehicles entering the hill station to fund waste treatment and curb traffic congestion. According to officials, the surcharge is designed to address a critical waste management crisis in the hill station.

Munnar panchayat president S. Vijayakumar stated that the hill station witnesses a heavy influx of vehicles and illegal waste dumping during weekends and holidays. “Waste management is a serious issue for the panchayat. In addition to the surcharge, we plan to set up green check-posts at the borders. Tourists will be provided with a bag upon paying a deposit, which they can reclaim by returning the bag filled with the waste generated by them,” Mr Vijayakumar said. He added that the panchayat committee will discuss the proposal on Wednesday to finalize the next steps.

Mr Vijayakumar further noted that a survey has already been conducted to track the average number of tourist vehicle arrivals. The panchayat is also exploring the privatisation of waste management. “Representatives from Clean Kerala and a private agency will attend Wednesday’s meeting,” he said.

The surcharge will be implemented following high-level discussions. “To ensure the support of the district administration, we will meet the District Collector to coordinate with other government departments,” Mr Vijayakumar added.

Officials also plan to establish a multi-level parking system in Munnar town and collaborate with KSRTC to provide electric-vehicle shuttles to major destinations such as Mattupetty and Eravikulam National Park in Rajamala. “Hours-long traffic jams are a major issue, often ruining tourists’ travel plans,” an official remarked.

Sources said that Munnar generates eight to ten tonnes of waste during holidays and weekends, exceeding the station’s carrying capacity. “Without proper intervention, Munnar cannot achieve sustainable growth. Implementing a vehicle e-pass system, similar to the Ooty and Kodaikanal models, could help manage the carrying capacity,” said the source.

G. Sojan, Coordinator of the My Munnar Movement, welcomed the decision. “A proper waste management system is essential. The authorities should use this surcharge to transform Munnar into a zero-waste destination. Furthermore, a proper traffic and parking system is needed to ensure that tourists can actually enjoy their trips,” Mr. Sojan said.

This is not the first attempt to levy a fee on visitors. In 2022, the Forest Department proposed a similar surcharge to compensate residents for crop loss, livestock depletion, and injuries caused by human-animal conflict. However, that proposal was shelved following widespread public opposition.