More than 12,000 people came to Nelliampathi for the Christmas celebration. With the arrival of tourists in large numbers, vehicles were stuck for hours in most parts including the pass. 2,300 vehicles passed through the check post of Pothundi Forest Department to Nelliampathi on Sunday alone.
View points like Sitarkund, Kesavanpara, Karapara are crowded with tourists. The Minnampara and Karassuri treks conducted under the leadership of the Forest Department were also very busy.
From eight o’clock in the morning they reached Nelliampathi along with big vehicles. Around noon, the traffic on the pass was blocked due to the vehicles coming to see Nelliampathi and the vehicles of those who came to see it.
More forest guards were appointed under the leadership of the forest department to control the tourists. Patagiri police also actively participated to clear the traffic jam. By evening, the traffic jam was completely cleared by controlling the vehicles.
Tourists were allowed to enter the Pothundi Garden for one more hour in the evening as it was crowded.
Car crashes into guardrail
A 14-year-old girl in the car was injured when the car of the tourists who were returning from Nelliampathi hit the guard wall. Vivek’s daughter Bhavya, a native of Kollangode Vadavannoor, was injured.
The accident took place near the tree bridge on the Pothundikaikatti pass at around 5.30 pm on Sunday. Due to the accident, the traffic on this route was blocked for half an hour.