TN Forest Department Launches Online Ticketing to Ease Kodaikanal Traffic

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has introduced an advance online ticketing system for popular tourist attractions in Kodaikanal to reduce traffic congestion and waiting times during the Dussehra holidays, officials said on Friday.

Under the new arrangement, tourists can book entry tickets and pay the required fees through the official website, before visiting the destinations. Visitors can gain entry by presenting a digital or printed receipt, eliminating the need for on-site ticket purchases.

Kodaikanal, a prominent hill station in Dindigul district, attracts large numbers of tourists from across the country, particularly during holidays. Several attractions managed by the Forest Department, including Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves, Pine Forest and Moir Point, frequently experience traffic congestion on approach roads.

Officials said delays in ticketing had contributed to long queues and traffic bottlenecks. Initially, entry fees were collected separately at individual tourist spots. A centralised manual ticketing arrangement was introduced later, but it also resulted in congestion on arterial roads.

Authorities subsequently introduced on-site payments through QR codes. However, unreliable cellular connectivity in the hilly terrain often disrupted transactions, leading to delays for visitors and motorists. The installation of QR code kiosks at more than 10 locations also failed to resolve the problem during peak tourist hours, officials said.

Following these challenges, the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and District Forest Officer jointly worked out the advance online ticketing system to improve traffic management and streamline access to the popular destinations. Forest officials have urged tourists planning to visit Kodaikanal to purchase tickets online before arriving at the hill station.

The initiative is expected to reduce queues at entry points, ease congestion on approach roads and provide visitors with a smoother experience during the holiday rush. The department hopes the advance booking facility will help manage the seasonal tourist influx more efficiently while improving access to the region's popular eco-tourism destinations.