Visiting Kodaikanal after watching ‘Manjummel Boys’? Prepare to apply for an e-pass; here is how

By Mehadhiya KF

The recent Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys has done for Kodaikanal what Dil Chahta Hai did for Goa and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara for Spain. The movie’s success has brought the picturesque hill station to prominence again.

Starting today, vehicles entering the Ooty and Kodaikanal hill stations of Tamil Nadu will need e-passes from the government. This pilot run of issuing e-passes—till the end of June—to monitor the influx of vehicles to these tourist hotspots, comes after a Madras High Court directive to the state government on April 29.

A bench of Justices N Sathish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy noted that over 20,000 vehicles enter Kodaikanal every day causing ‘irreparable damage to the environment’. However, there is no upper limit on the issuance of these passes.

Kodaikanal, steeped in history and natural splendor, has always been a favored summer destination since its establishment by American missionaries and British bureaucrats in the nineteenth century. At the heart of Kodaikanal’s allure lies the legacy of the 1991 movie Gunaa, directed by Santhana Bharathi with Kamal Haasan in the lead.

The movie featured the notorious cave dubbed ‘Devil’s Kitchen’, where the hauntingly beautiful song Kanmani Anbodu was filmed. Driven by the film’s influence, it has been called ‘Guna Caves’ ever since.

The town is experiencing a resurgence in tourism, thanks in no small part to cinema again. Manjummel Boys, which narrates the riveting real-life survival account of a group of friends and their misadventures in the ‘Guna Caves’ in 2006, put Kodaikanal back on the map for many.

The film has sparked a renewed interest in the region, with travelers from far and wide, flocking to the place to experience the second-hand horrors of the ‘Devil’s Kitchen’ in the flesh. This unprecedented surge has raised concerns about over-tourism and its impact on the environment and local communities.

Film-induced tourism, while a boon to local economic growth and cultural exchange, poses significant challenges such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and risks to indigenous flora and fauna. The commodification of local culture and the favouring of tourist demands over that of the local community are crucial issues too.

Manjummel Boys, the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, boasting a 240 crore worldwide box-office collection, just concluded its 73-day run in the theaters. The movie is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

How to apply for an e-pass for Nilgiris and Kodaikanal

Applications for entry permits can be made through the e-pass portal https://epass.tnega.org/. Here is a step-by-step guide.

1. Choose whether you’re travelling to these destinations from outside India or from within India

 

2. Once you choose you’re from within India, log in to the portal with your mobile number. You will need an OTP.

android, visiting kodaikanal after watching ‘manjummel boys’? prepare to apply for an e-pass; here is how

Kodaikanal

 

3. Once you log in, choose the destination – the Nilgiris or Kodaikanal, specifically.

android, visiting kodaikanal after watching ‘manjummel boys’? prepare to apply for an e-pass; here is how

Kodaikanal

4. Fill in the information requested on the next page before clicking on the ‘Submit’ button.

android, visiting kodaikanal after watching ‘manjummel boys’? prepare to apply for an e-pass; here is how

Kodaikanal

Note: Locals can also get e-pass from the same portal.

android, visiting kodaikanal after watching ‘manjummel boys’? prepare to apply for an e-pass; here is how

Kodaikanal

Mehadhiya KF is an intern at indianexpress.com

For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS

OTHER NEWS

13 minutes ago

Who should Kaizer Chiefs sign?

14 minutes ago

Fans Argue Over Travis Hunter’s Rating In EA Sports College Football 25 Video Game

14 minutes ago

Four inventions that changed motoring - and the battles behind some life changing laws

14 minutes ago

Kieran McKenna is the 4/6 favourite to replace Roberto De Zerbi as Brighton manager - while the Italian's predecessor Graham Potter is 6/1 to return to the club

14 minutes ago

DR MARTIN SCURR: How losing your hearing may cause dementia - and the 12 steps you can take to ward it off

14 minutes ago

‘It’s bleak. We can’t get housing and so many of our friends are emigrating’ — Dublin’s young local election candidates want to make a difference

14 minutes ago

MCG to land NFL game

14 minutes ago

Has South Africa found its next Kwagga Smith?

14 minutes ago

Who owns Starry Soda? A look at the brand's ownership structure

14 minutes ago

Lamborghini says goodbye V10, hello twin-turbo V8 hybrid

14 minutes ago

Boardroom Uncovered: Meet the CEO leading American Golf’s transformation who runs a 10k every single day

14 minutes ago

Joey Logano dominates All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro

14 minutes ago

How Oracle's biggest-ever acquisition turned deadly

14 minutes ago

Ryanair sees profits increase to £1.64billion despite Boeing disruption

14 minutes ago

10 Pontiac Aztek Features That Prove It Was A Cool Car

14 minutes ago

Computer-Science Majors Graduate Into a World of Fewer Opportunities

14 minutes ago

Kyle Busch also took on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s father in post-race scuffle

14 minutes ago

Students at fee-paying Louth school to protest over ‘ban’ on Gaelic football

14 minutes ago

Markets in 2 Minutes: Nvidia Earnings Are Risk In Bullish World

16 minutes ago

Why Modi's Hindu nationalism is a harder sell in India's south

20 minutes ago

See the moment footy legend Gorden Tallis loses it and tells his co-hosts he'll 'cave their heads in' as TV stunt goes too far

21 minutes ago

Brentford vs Newcastle United LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

22 minutes ago

This is why Jacob Zuma’s face will still be on the ballot for the MK Party despite ConCourt ruling

22 minutes ago

Ollie Robinson puts himself back in England frame by blowing Yorkshire away

22 minutes ago

Arsenal want to sign striker before pre-season — as two names top shortlist

22 minutes ago

Lando Norris enjoying the high life as hopes grow for Formula One title battle

22 minutes ago

What Ebrahim Raisi’s death means for Iran and the region

22 minutes ago

Russia says Ukraine makes 62-drone attack on Russia, oil refinery halted

22 minutes ago

Hannah Waddingham stuns at 'The Garfield Movie' premiere

22 minutes ago

Premier League 2023-24 review: signings of the season

22 minutes ago

Donald Trump Has No Plausible Response to Michael Cohen Evidence: Attorney

22 minutes ago

Nationwide to hand out bonus 'worth at least £350million' - with announcement this week

22 minutes ago

Camilla wanted to be French heroine with adventures in court of Louis XIV

23 minutes ago

A report is due on the UK's infected blood scandal, the country's worst public health disaster

23 minutes ago

Nickel-rich Indonesia pitches EV battery plant plan to Elon Musk

23 minutes ago

Condition of Slovakia's prime minister improves following an assassination attempt

25 minutes ago

'Selfish' woman slammed for putting Taylor Swift's 22 hat that was given to her younger sister at the Eras Tour on eBay for $20,000 - but insists the money is for a good cause

25 minutes ago

Ederson is ruled OUT of the Copa America after suffering a fractured eye socket in Man City's win over Tottenham as Brazil's final squad is confirmed

25 minutes ago

Roberto De Zerbi insists he hasn't received any offers following his sudden Brighton exit... as the Italian reveals his hopes to return to the Premier League

25 minutes ago

Emma Raducanu admits injuries and criticism can feel like a 'constant uphill battle' but the tennis star credits support team for helping to build resilience in new HSBC film

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch