OOTY: Ooty MLA M. Bhojarajan (BJP) wants the inclusion of Ooty municipality under the Centre’s ‘Smart City’ scheme to improve the infrastructure and plan for future tourism in the hills.
Bhojarajan, senior MLA and lone BJP MLA in the Assembly, in fact, changed the traditional election dynamics in this hill constituency in 2026 polls as his win was considered a ;Modi-fying’ factor that brought BJP to the forefront in the hills as expectation soared as hill residents believe that this seasoned politician, keeping a high decorum in public life, will do his best to bring Central funds for tourism development and improve infrastructure facilities in the hills here.
Bhojarajan, who recently submitted a memorandum to Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan during his visit to the Nilgiris, seeking his recommendation to the Centre to include Ooty under the Centre’s Smart City scheme, said Ooty was the largest hill station tourism destination in the country, as its public gardens, lakes, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Doddabetta peak and other peaks and valleys, wildlife and ecotourism facilities, tribal tourism and ethnic tourism options had been attracting up to 25 lakh tourists in a year.
Sadly, in the recent past, the Ooty municipality has been facing fund-crunch and revenue deficits which marred the maintenance, redevelopment or improvement of the tourism infrastructure. Poorly maintained roads, footpaths, lack of other such facilities stand as bona fide to this, he added.
“To change this appalling situation in the Ooty town limits and in the tourist spots, it is wiser to have the Smart City scheme here. I request the Centre to consider a Smart City scheme for Ooty under a special package considering its tourism potential and form a special team to explore the ways to rebuild, reshape and redefine the Ghat roads, footpaths, restrooms, water facilities and other such infrastructure facilities. While the previous government in the state directed the Central tourism fund to the tune of Rs. 80 crore for the redevelopment of Ooty race course, it will be prudent if some part of that Central fund is diverted for tourism infrastructure facility improvement works in the town limits, besides making good allotment for funds for tourism development under the special area development programme in the Nilgiris,” he advocated.
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