With mercury steadily rising in the plains, the inflow of tourists to this hill station especially during the weekends is also steadily increasing.
Members of the mercantile community particularly those dependent on tourist traffic for a livelihood are keeping their fingers crossed. They are hoping that round-the-week inflow will pick up soon.
Some of the hoteliers said that a wetting would do a world of good to the town and to tourism. Secretary, Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants Association (NHRA), N.Chandrashekar, said all the hoteliers were gearing up for the season which was expected to be in full swing as soon as the board examinations concluded.
Elections
To a question, he said that the elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly were not likely to affect the season as the process of casting votes would be over before the non-stop flow of tourists began.
Pointing out that many of the tourists from crowded cities came here to experience the pleasure of walking, he lamented that most of the footpaths were either encroached by pavement hawkers or in an appalling condition.
He expressed the hope that some of the damaged roads would be attended to.
Joint Director of Horticulture in-charge J.Haldorai said that preparations for the Annual Floral Carnival at the Government Botanical Garden, the Rose Show at the Government Rose Garden and the Fruit Show at the Sim's Park had gained momentum.
He said that the conditions were conducive for the flowers to be in full bloom by the end of April.
Preoccupation with the arrangements for the elections notwithstanding, the district administration is also gearing up to meet the anticipated heavy tourist traffic during the ensuing season. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation has commenced work on getting its boats ready.
The demand for seats in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is also going up since a visit to this hill station is considered incomplete without a joy ride in the toy train. Railway sources said that efforts were being made to provide trouble-free service to the tourists.
With the racing season scheduled to commence around the middle of April the race course has become a beehive of activity.
