Walkers and runners residing in and visiting the Nilgiris will be greeted with empty streets and no vehicular traffic on Saturdays, after the Nilgiris district police and the district administration announced that the Commercial Street in Udhagamandalam town will be “closed” to vehicles, between 8 a.m and 8 p.m.
In a press release, Nilgiris district superintendent of police D Shanmuga Priya said that no vehicles would be permitted to use the Commercial Road on Saturdays, and that the entire stretch would be declared a “Happy Road.”
Speaking to The Hindu, the SP said that the road closure would be on trial basis, and based on the success of the initiative, could be replicated each weekend. “The entire road will be completely free for people to enjoy themselves, including children, who can play games there and have fun,” said Ms. Priya.
The road, which is by far, the busiest stretch of road, especially during the weekends, draws in thousands of tourists shopping for clothes, hunting for restaurants and looking to purchase goods produced in the Nilgiris, like tea and chocolates. Shopkeepers and merchants, who run businesses along the stretch had mixed reactions to the announcement, with some fearing that reduced vehicular traffic might lead to fewer patrons to their shops and restaurants.
However, officials believe that the initiative could encourage more visitors to enjoy the Nilgiris on foot, rather than clogging up the roads with vehicles. Officials said that based on the success of the initiative, they might allow small traders and hawkers to set up stalls and food carts to create a more vibrant atmosphere along the stretch.