A traffic advisory committee meeting presided over by Devikulam MLA F. Raja on Thursday decided to take strict action to regulate the hours-long traffic congestion in the Munnar hill station. According to officials, the committee decided to implement new traffic regulations from June 15 to June 30.

The meeting resolved to remove all roadside shops before June 30, directing the National Highways Authority and the Public Works Department (PWD) to clear the encroachments. Furthermore, it was decided to allow parking on only one side of the road in Munnar town, Devikulam, and Mattupetty.

The committee also decided to mandate the registration of all auto-rickshaws and taxis operating in the Munnar, Devikulam, and Pallivasal panchayats under their respective local bodies. These vehicles will only be allowed to operate after displaying a sticker featuring their registration number. In Munnar town, auto-rickshaw parking will be restricted to one side of the road.

Officials stated that roadside parking will no longer be permitted at Rajamala and near the flower garden on Mattupetty Road. Instead, vehicles must be parked at designated parking grounds. Additionally, traffic signals will be installed at Ancham Mile in Rajamala.

The meeting also directed the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) to remove the KSRTC buses parked in front of the old Munnar KSRTC depot.

An all-party meeting will be held on June 19 in Munnar to discuss these decisions. The traffic advisory committee meeting was attended by Devikulam Subcollector V.M. Arya, the Devikulam tehsildar, and the presidents of the Munnar, Devikulam, and Pallivasal panchayats, among others.

Munnar panchayat president S. Vijayakumar stated that the meeting is a crucial step toward resolving the chronic, hours-long traffic jams in Munnar. “Those who attended the meeting agreed to the decisions to find a permanent solution to the traffic blocks,” he said.

Jeep feeder service

Mr. Vijayakumar added that various private bus operators recently approached him to discuss the panchayat’s decision to ban large buses from entering Munnar town on weekends and holidays. “We informed them that large buses create hours-long traffic blocks in Munnar town, which negatively affects the entire tourism industry. Private buses will be allowed on normal weekdays but restricted on weekends and holidays. The panchayat plans to arrange a jeep feeder service from various destinations. Those arriving by bus can use this facility. The fares and other details will be finalised after a detailed discussion,” the president said.

Mr. Vijayakumar further noted that these traffic regulations and arrangements are being put in place ahead of the implementation of a surcharge on tourist vehicles entering the Munnar hill station. The Munnar and Devikulam panchayats have already decided to collect this surcharge.

According to tourism stakeholders, many tourists have been cancelling their trips to Munnar due to the severe traffic congestion, which is negatively impacting the destination.