Tourist spots wear a shabby look in Ooty

Road leading to Government Botanical Garden is an eye sore

A marked increase in the inflow of visitors and a steadily rising mercury have created a season like atmosphere in this vacation destination though the summer tourist season is still a few weeks away.

However, various tourist spots are still wearing a shabby look. The Government Botanical Garden in particular is presenting an unkempt look with a variety of civil works including re-laying of footpaths in various stages of implementation.

Tourists are pointing out that the construction materials and items such as inter-locking cobble stones removed from the footpaths are posing a threat to them.

Expressing the view that such works should have been completed during the lean periods, they said that work spots should be cordoned off to ensure the safety of the visitors and warning signs displayed nearby.

Watch and ward staff should be posted near the work spots to keep the people, particularly children away.

They regretted that even the road leading to the garden was an eye sore with the footpaths and railings broken and hawkers occupying most of the walking space.

Assistant Director of Horticulture G.K.Umarani said that the civil works inside the garden were expected to be completed in a fortnight.

She added that arrangements were apace for the season in general and the annual flower show in particular.