Nilgiris district administration closes Kalhatty Ghat Road to tourists again
The Nilgiris district administration has closed the Kalhatty Ghat Road to tourist vehicles following a Madras High Court order. While local residents and business owners protest the economic impact, conservationists support the move to protect wildlife and manage water resources during a drought.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between local economic interests and environmental conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive regions.
Following the Madras High Court’s orders, the Nilgiris district administration closed the Kalhatty Ghat Road to tourist vehicles again on Monday (July 27, 2026).
The move follows recent developments in the High Court which questioned the need to allow tourist vehicles to use the dangerous road, known for its high movement of wildlife. The court had ordered that till the case comes up for hearing again on July 31, that the road should remain closed to tourists.
However, local business owners and a section of residents opposed the orders, arguing that the closure of the road will impact business to the area. A total bandh was observed on July 10 to protest the court’s orders, with residents urging the government to intervene and seek the reopening of the road.
Following this, the road remained opened to tourists till Sunday. However, the district administration ordered the road’s closure from Monday.
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