Tamil Nadu: Tourist vehicles may be asked to keep off Mahabs

CHENNAI: Taking a cue from Hampi world heritage site, the state government is working on a plan to restrict the entry of vehicles ferrying tourists into Mamallapuram town. Visitors may be asked to alight from their vehicles on the outskirts of Mamallapuram and then ferried by battery-operated vehicles to the various Pallava-era monuments.

The development comes in the wake of the coastal town battling acute traffic congestion after getting a facelift for the second informal summit between India and China last month. A meeting was held in Kancheepuram on Tuesday to address the traffic. Kancheepuram collector P Ponniah, officials from Archaeological Survey of India and from the revenue department of Kancheepuram were present in the meeting. Sources privy to the development said discussions were held on introducing battery-operated vehicles for tourists.

“At least 20 battery-run, 14-seater green vehicles are required to shuttle visitors between the proposed parking lot on the outskirts and the monuments. The idea is to replicate commutation facilities available at Hampi,” an official told TOI.

The Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority in Karnataka operates battery vehicles to take visitors around the ASI-maintained monuments. In a similar fashion, the Kancheepuram district administration is exploring a plan to run pollution-free vehicles that will ply on the main road connecting Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Krishna Butter Ball. CSR funds are being explored for the initiative.

However, vehicles of local residents will be spared from the ban. According to sources, stickers may be issued to local vehicles for identification.

The number of tourists flocking to Mamallapuram shot up after the summit with double the number of tourists visiting the town on weekends and holidays leading to chaos and congestion.

Charles M, secretary of Tourist Guides’ Federation of South India, welcomed the move saying it would be a relief for tourists. “Those preferring to take a stroll can walk to the monuments and the rest could board the battery-operated vehicles,” he said.