The Nilgiris district administration in Tamil Nadu has announced the mandatory implementation of e-passes for outsiders entering the district, which will come into effect from May 7, 2024.

The decision has been taken to ensure stricter monitoring and control over incoming travellers. This decision comes following an order from the Madras High Court.

Nilgiri District Collector Aruna emphasised that an e-pass will be obligatory for every individual coming from outside the state or district who intends to visit Nilgiris.

The E-pass, accessible through an online application, will be a crucial document for entry into the district.

Concerning the regulatory order given by the Madras High Court over the number of tourists visiting the Nilgiris, the district administration has created one such software where the user has to provide basic details, like their names, addresses, where they are going to stay, their vehicle type and after entering these data, an e-pass will be formed which will have a QR code that will be scanned by the district administration team, DC Aruna informed.

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She further added that foreign nationals will be able to register their e-mail addresses while domestic tourists will be able to register their cell phone numbers and receive e-mail.

As many as 100 people will be engaged in this E-Pass operation at all the checkpoints entering the Nilgiri district.

It may be mentioned here that individuals travelling via government buses are exempted from the e-pass requirement, however, all other incoming vehicles must adhere to the new regulation. The initiative will undergo a trial run from May 7 to May 30, allowing authorities to assess its efficacy and address any operational challenges.