Kodaikanal tourism and business owners urge government to open tourist places and allow tourists

Friday, April 30, 2021

People employed in tourism and business people in Kodaikanal have started to feel the pinch with tourist spots in the hill station being closed by the state government for restraining increase in Covid-19 infections.

Without any assistance from the state government or district administration to compensate for their basic requirements and to keep their families buoyant, they feel disappointed. They have urged the state government to open tourist places and allow tourists to visit the hill station keeping Covid-19 measures in place.

Traders have opined that summer is the prime time for the people of Kodaikanal to earn their living. At least 15,000 people are dependent on tourism for their living. People are struggling to make ends meet and sustain their families. They did not earn anything last year due to the first wave. They had just started to recover from the blues of stringent lockdown imposed last year, but now the state government has come up with another blow.

“Finance companies are urging us to pay the EMIs. Without any income how does the government expect us to pay the bills? Last year some good Samaritans gave us essentials to feed the families. But this year there is no such help. We are surviving because of the PDS rice,” said the secretary of Kodaikanal Taxi Owner-Driver Association, P Ganesan.

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