Witnessed by a moderate number of spectators including punters, tourists (both domestic and foreign) and casual visitors the curtain went up on 126th edition of the Ooty racing season here on Friday.
Though no longer in the same league as major tourist attractions like the flower show ,the first race, in a conventional sense, marks the commencement of the busy period of the summer tourist season which is now in progress in this popular vacation destination.
Though the number of persons patronising the horse races here has come down considerably over the years, the sight of horses galloping in the high altitude race course continues to be a unique attraction.
The inflow of tourists has registered a visible increase.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) introduced circuit buses on Friday. Speaking to The Hindu , transport officials said that the facility has become an integral part of the season in this hill station since 2008. The buses would cover the Children’s Park, Boat House, Government Botanical Garden, Dodabetta and Government Rose Garden. The fare would be Rs. 90 for adults and Rs. 50 for children.
With a ticket, the passengers are entitled to board any bus and get off at any tourist spot.
Meanwhile, efforts to make the town presentable like the liberal strewing of bleaching powder, notwithstanding shortcomings are standing out and making the discerning tourists frown.
Assurances notwithstanding the badly damaged stretches of the national highway connecting Mettupalayam and Gudalur are yet to be attended to.
Consequently tourists are being subjected to considerable inconvenience even before entering the town.
Since the seasonal pavement hawkers have ensconced themselves in the spots of their choice, pedestrians are forced to risk sharing the roads with speeding vehicles. Beggars from the plains have started coming here to pester the tourists.
Meanwhile the Nilgiris Collector Archana Patnaik told The Hindu that various problems confronting this tourist resort are being addressed in a systematic manner and expressed the hope that all sections of the society here would extend a helping hand.
