The stretch of road from the Government Botanical Garden to the District Collector’s office along Spencer’s Road used to be one of the most idyllic routes used by tourists for their late evening walks. However, due to a lack of maintenance and other factors, the less than 2 km-long stretch is slowly losing its lustre.
Local residents as well as long-time visitors to the town recall the glorious views on offer to the people who manage to make their way to the top of the hill near Commissioner’s Road from the Government Botanical Garden.
“Till around a few years ago, when we used to visit Ooty once a year, our day would be incomplete without walking to the garden, enjoying the evening sunset and trudging up the steep hill, taking in the sight of the majestic old Spencer’s building, before stopping at the St. Stephen’s Church and having a cup of coffee at a nearby shop,” said V. Anushaya, who moved with her family to live in the Nilgiris, a few years ago.
Walkers now give the route a miss completely as the sidewalks have become precarious as cement slabs over the drains have come loose and there is very poor lighting along the stretch, which makes it even more difficult for walkers to find their footing on the difficult walk to the top of the hill.
Moreover, street vendors have taken over portions of the walking paths too, further reducing space for walkers while cars and other vehicles are often parked on the curb meant for pedestrians through large parts of the day, leading to the pavements being damaged and unsafe for use.
Recently, the municipality had also dug up a part of the pathway for Underground Drainage Works to be completed, but even after the drains were laid, the pavements were not repaired and relaid.
V. Sivadas, Managing Trustee of the Nilgiri Environment and Cultural Service Trust, said that the lack of maintenance has only become really apparent over the last five to six years, with not enough maintenance being done by the municipality to keep the stretch of road in good condition.
“There has to be yearly maintenance done, and beautification of the roads and paths across town is also another important facet that has been completely neglected across Udhagamandalam,” he added.
