The Nilgiris district police have launched an innovative QR-code-based system to help tourists get real-time traffic updates, road diversions and parking spots in the district.

The initiative was launched by the Nilgiris district Superintendent of Police, N.S. Nisha, on May 19, 2026, Tuesday. The “Smart Tourist” portal, launched by the police, requires users to scan a QR code to be redirected to a website that provides traffic updates, road diversions, emergency alerts on weather, road blocks and emergencies, travel assistance and also parking availability.

The QR codes have been displayed prominently at all entry points across the district for users to access, the officials stated. “One of the main problems tourist face is not knowing which routes to take when visiting the district during the tourist season. This portal will ensure that they are kept informed about the most effective and efficient ways to reach their destinations with a very user-friendly interface,” an official from the Nilgiris district police stated.

One of the key features of the initiative is the real-time updates provided to tourists about parking availability in various places. The difficulty in finding parking spaces contributes significantly to traffic problems in the major towns of Udhagamandalam and Coonoor. “For instance, a user can choose the location where they wish to visit, and the portal will show the parking locations close-by and also the number of parking spots available. A single click on the parking location will also redirect them to a navigation app that will help them find their way to the location,” said the official.

School buses inspected

District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and Ms. Nisha also inspected school buses for safety measures. A total of 169 buses from Udhagamandalam and Coonoor were checked for availability of first aid boxes, bus maintenance and safety, as well as documentation. The remaining 115 buses from Gudalur and Kotagiri will be checked on May 21, the officials said. Also present at the inspection were officials from the Regional Transport Office.