BENGALURU/CHIKKABALLAPUR/ MADIKERI: About 200 people thronged the Nandi Hills on Sunday morning, hoping to recharge their spirits after facing weeks of Covid-19 restrictions, but they were soon sent back by authorities concerned about crowding and breach of health safety protocols.
The gates of the popular destination, around 60km from Bengaluru, were shut minutes after being opened.
After Unlock, Nandi Hills has been seeing scores of visitors on weekdays.
It was closed on June 19-20 and Saturday because of the local weekend curfew.
People thought it would be open on Sunday after cottages and other facilities accepted bookings.
Consequently, people from Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Chikkaballapur arrived in 40 to 50 cars and on about 90 two-wheelers in the morning.
To their delight, the gates were opened at 8am.
But as the crowd swelled, officials decided to take a safer approach and send everyone back.
Police personnel and the hill station’s security were called for the task.
Some groups tried to argue, but they were politely asked to vacate the place, according to Nandagopal of the horticulture department.
He said that the number of visitors suddenly increased on Sunday and they waited more than an hour for the entry to open.
Many people were seen without masks.
“Sensing trouble, some officials contacted the district administration, which recommended closure.
Everyone was sent out of the hill station by 9am,” he added.
A sub-inspector at the police station at the foothills said that several people had reserved rooms, suites and cottages when bookings opened on Friday night.
There are more than 50 such facilities.
Meanwhile, wary of another spike in Covid-19 cases, some MLAs from Kodagu, a major tourist destination, on Sunday asked people to defer their plans of visiting the district by at least one week.
Pointing to the fluctuating test positivity rate, they said that interdistrict movement needed to be regulated.
They have also urged owners of coffee plantations to avoid calling labourers from other areas.
While the state government has allowed commercial establishments to stay open till 2pm five days a week, the Kodagu district administration has given permission for only three days a week.
“We struggled to bring the positivity rate below 5 per cent.
Even now, we have self-imposed restrictions to contain the spread of Covid.
But the rate is fluctuating because of the floating population, especially from Bengaluru,” said Virajpet legislator KG Bopaiah.
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan also requested people to postpone their visit till July 5.
“We have discussed the issue and instructed the police to curb the inflow of tourists and labourers,” he said.
It will take more time to unlock the tourism sector in Kodagu, he added.
Ranjan suggested that those fully vaccinated could be allowed to enter the district.