As another Neelakurinji flowering season approaches, the local panchayat has demanded that the government construct a Bailey bridge in Munnar town to manage the expected surge of tourists during the upcoming Onam festival and blooming season. Traffic on the main route connecting Munnar town on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway was disrupted last month after the rains caused a mudslide. A road had also caved in near the Munnar CSI church. Since these incidents, vehicular movement has been diverted to a narrow bridge near the Munnar police station.

According to Munnar panchayat president S. Vijayakumar, the current bridge is too narrow and structurally weakened, having previously suffered damage during the August 2018 floods. “When the highway route along the CSI church was disrupted, all vehicles from Adimaly, Marayur, and nearby areas were forced to use this narrow bridge to enter the town, resulting in hours-long traffic jams,” said the president.

“Lakhs of visitors are expected to flock to the hill station during Onam and the Neelakurinji season. To address the situation, the panchayat has submitted a letter to the Chief Minister, Revenue Minister, and Tourism Minister, requesting the emergency construction of a Bailey bridge. We hope the government takes prompt, positive action,” Mr. Vijayakumar added.

G. Sojan, coordinator of the My Munnar Movement — an initiative promoting local tourism — noted that the hill station has faced a severe traffic crisis since the July mudslide. “When the main route was blocked, the entire flow of traffic into the town was disrupted,” he said.

According to officials, the Munnar CSI church route reopened for single-lane traffic on Friday evening. However, the area still poses a significant risk of mudslides, and authorities could impose a traffic ban on the route at any moment. “In the present situation, a Bailey bridge will help prevent recurring traffic blocks in Munnar,” said an official source.

This year, the Neelakurinji is expected to bloom across the Chokramudy, Meeshapulimala, Edalimedu, Sevenmalai, and Gundumala hills of Munnar. In several areas, isolated plants have already begun to flower, signalling an early start to the season. As the Strobilanthes kunthiana species—which blooms only once every 12 years—prepares to carpet the Munnar hills in blue, tourism stakeholders are anticipating a heavy rush of visitors.

Published - August 07, 2026 08:05 pm IST