Coimbatore

Vehicle movement restrictions were enforced after five tourists from Chennai died after their vehicle developed a brake failure and plunged into a deep gorge, while heading to Masinagudi on the steep Ooty to Kalhatty Road a few days ago. To avoid similar mishaps, the police enforced restrictions on entry of vehicles through the way. 

All vehicles were barred from going through the Ooty-Kalhatty Road from 9pm to 6am. There is also a complete ban on other district registration vehicles from using the hill road. Cops at the check posts in Thalaikundha and Masinagudi stop other district registration vehicle from using the way. 

Meanwhile, a large number of people from Masinagudi, Singara, Mavanella, Sokkanalli, Vazhaithottam, Anaikatty and Bokkkapuram led by members of ‘Makkal Valvurimai Kootamaippu’ submitted a petition to Superintendent of Police D Shanmuga Priya to relax restrictions on the Ooty-Kalhatty stretch.

They claimed that their livelihood is getting lost as various businesses were affected due to the ban on vehicle movement. “In case of emergencies for ambulances, or vehicles carrying outstation school and college students can use the way after taking permission from the concerned police station,” a local resident said. 

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