More tourists inflow expected as bus services to Yercaud resumes

Chennai

After more than six months, the suspended TNSTC bus services to the hills resumed from Salem on Wednesday morning. Still, the tourists must get an e-pass from the district administration to visit Yercaud.

Though a semblance of normalcy returned to most other parts of Tamil Nadu, the bus services to Yercaud remained suspended so far to avoid the spread of COVID-19 among the native population in the hills.

On the first day, three buses were operated from Salem bus terminus to Yercaud hills. However, the buses ran with only a minimal number of passengers.

Meanwhile, private bus operators have also decided to resume services to the hill station from Thursday.

“People were eagerly awaiting the resumption of bus services. We have made arrangements to ply the buses by following COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing and provide sanitizers to passengers. The crowd may be less initially, but would pick up gradually,” said Shankar, a private bus operator.
 
Due to the long lockdown period and COVID-19 scare, footfalls to Yercaud however continues to be minimal at present.

“Tourists flow increases slightly during weekends. Yet the footfall remains minimal as tourists had to come only by their personal vehicles. As bus services have resumed, there may be a steady arrival of people in the coming days. However, some of the tourist’s spots including the boat house and Botanical Garden remain shut,” said an official of the tourist department.

Yercaud Town Panchayat president Siva Sakthi said that no decision has been taken by the tourism department on reopening the closed tourist attractions. “Any decision would be taken based on the orders from the government,” she said.

Normally about 6,000 tourists visit Yercaud during weekends and the numbers may go up further during peak season and festival holidays.