Road To Doddabetta Peak Reopens After Restoration Efforts

Doddabetta Hill Peak in the Nilgiris district is renowned as a top international tourist destination. It attracts a significant influx of visitors eager to witness the breathtaking beauty of this mountain peak. The 1.5-kilometre forest road connecting Utagai Kotagiri main road to Doddabetta was in a dilapidated state, causing inconvenience to both drivers and tourists.

Several days ago, the process of road maintenance was initiated on the Doddabetta route, with a particular focus on addressing the deteriorated segments. Consequently, the authorities imposed restrictions on tourist access to the Doddabetta mountain peak, starting from the previous Monday and extending through Thursday. During this period, visitors were temporarily unable to travel to the picturesque summit.

In this situation, as of yesterday, September 16, the road has officially reopened to vehicular traffic. Following a week-long hiatus, both local and non-local vehicles are now back in operation on this route.

As per an official statement issued by the district administration, road repair work is slated to occur along the route extending from the junction to the peak of the mountain. The expected finish date for these repair activities has been marked as September 13.

Back in August 2021, as reported by authorities, Doddabetta Peak had to be shut down for tourists due to the adverse effects of heavy rainfall during that month. The rain triggered landslides and tree collapses along the road leading to the peak, resulting in significant damage to the route and rendering it unsafe for tourist vehicles to access the summit.

Doddabetta stands as the loftiest mountain in the Nilgiri Mountains, soaring to an impressive height of 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) above sea level. Enveloped by a protected forest area, it is situated a mere 9 kilometres away from the town of Ooty, nestled on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris District, India. Doddabetta ranks as the fourth-highest peak in South India, trailing behind Anamudi, Mannamalai, and Meesapulimala.