25-05-2025
Traffic congestion on ghat road as tourists throng Yercaud for summer festival
Yercaud is witnessing a massive influx of tourists for the 48th Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show that was inaugurated on Friday.
The much-awaited summer festival is drawing visitors from across the State, who arrived through the ghat Road in the Shevaroyan Hills.
Popular attractions such as Anna Park, the venue for the flower and fruit show, the boat house, Pagoda Point, Gent's Seat, Lady's Seat, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Deer Park, and Shevaroyan Temple saw high footfall throughout the day. Hotels, eateries, and stalls selling snacks, tea, and ice creams did brisk business.
As part of the festival, the Department of Animal Husbandry organised a dog show at the open auditorium, which received an enthusiastic response. The Department of Tourism hosted a semi-classical dance performance, while local dance and cultural programmes captured the attention of tourists.
P. Dinesh, a visitor from Erode, said the misty and cool climate, accompanied by occasional drizzles, kept drawing tourists throughout the day. Local businesses reported a surge in activity.
However, the increase in the number of visitors led to heavy traffic congestion along the ghat road, with vehicles lined up for many kilometres, disrupting many travel plans. Also, indiscriminate parking near the boat house affected movement of vehicles. Several visitors also complained about inadequate parking facilities and called for more police personnel to be deployed to manage traffic effectively.
Officials announced that a boat race would be held on Monday, and a cricket match for media personnel was scheduled for Tuesday. Dramas, cultural shows, and dance performances would continue daily till May 29, the final day of the festival.
