1 lakh tourists expected, spl buses planned for Ooty flower show

More than one lakh tourists from across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and other states are expected to visit the hill station for the five-day show, a key attraction during the summer season. Special arrangements have been made in the Nilgiris for the convenience of the visitors.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Coimbatore Division, will operate circuit buses for tourists. From two circuit buses since April 14, the number of buses has now increased to 10. Tourists will be provided with Rs 100 pass and they can board any circuit bus for sightseeing visits to popular spots.

According to TNSTC officials, special buses will be operated from the Nilgiris to Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Mettupalayam and Salem districts. “About 70 such additional buses will be operated until the end of the flower show. Special buses are also operated from places such as Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchy, Palani and Namakkal,” said an official.

To ease traffic congestion, the stretch from Mettupalayam to Coonoor to Ooty and similarly from Ooty to Kothagiri to Mettupalayam have been made one way. Many other arterial stretches in Ooty have been also made one way.

Palaniswami, who reached Ooty by road from Coimbatore on Thursday, was received by badagas, a tribe, with a traditional dance show. He will inaugurate the flower show on Friday around 9 am. Thousands of flower pots with exotic blooms and floral structures have been put up for the grand show.