Closure of Chalakudi, Athirapally roads hits arrivals this summer

COIMBATORE: Lack of proper road infrastructure to Valparai seems to be turning away tourists towards other destinations. It has been one of the long pending demands of the tourism sector to here to lay an alternative road to the hill.

“Tourist arrivals on both ways from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been hit severely due to closure of road from Chalakudi in Kerala for the ongoing tarring works since March 12. Tourists from Kerala could not come to Valparai. Similarly, tourists from Tamil Nadu, who go to Athirapally falls after a halt in Valparai, couldn’t proceed to the falls due to the ongoing road works which is likely to continue for a few more days. Most tourists prefer a drive through Chalakudi to Pollachi that presents scenic views with dense forest and waterfalls. Because of the closure of the roads, tourist arrivals have reduced significantly,” said Shaji George, secretary of Valparai Merchants Association.

Tourism activities may have remained smooth, if only there was an alternative road from the stretch between Chalakudi and Pollachi. It has also become a common phenomenon to block vehicle movement on the hill road even if there is a block caused by wild animal intrusion or vehicle breakdown.

“Only during such emergencies, the need for an alternative road is felt. Already, tourist arrivals are meager and such roadblocks have further reduced arrivals to Valparai, despite the onset of summer. It has caused a huge setback for the tourism related business in Valparai and the town’s economy as a whole. Drop in influx of tourists has in-turn resulted in cottages and resorts remaining empty. The normal occupancy rate, which was around 50 per cent, has reduced drastically to 10 and 15 per cent in cottages and stays,” said R Vinod, who runs a home stay in Valparai.

In fact, the demand for a new road through the hills is nothing new. “Already there exists a British era road called as ‘Kudirai pathai’ running through Villonie Estate settlement. It could even be repaired and few bridges could be built to put it into use. Even Coimbatore district authorities inspected the route 10 years ago to establish an alternative road till Aliyar. However, the plan has been put on the back burner. If this road is laid, it will be of great convenience as distance of travel will get reduced with fewer hairpin bends,” said K Santhosh Kumar, president of Valparai Taxi Owners and Drivers Association.