Idukki: Over 300 drivers are protesting the ban imposed by the District administration on the off-road safari at Muruganmala, Marayoor in Idukki.
Following a directive from the District Collector, Marayoor police installed a stop sign at the entry point to Muruganmala. Cops said driving in a jeep to Muruganmala in the rainy season has been banned because of accident risks. But tourists are free to walk up the hill after leaving their vehicles at the parking station, they point out.

The administration has imposed drastic measures following an accident on June 19. A jeep met with an accident at Pattam Colony, 3 km away from Muruganmala. The police, however, said that this was not the reason why jeep rides to the hill were stopped.

The decision has come as a major jolt for the drivers. They said they have spent a huge amount of money on modifying the vehicles for off-road drives. Tourists mainly come to Marayoor expecting this off-road experience.

Off-road safaris are conducted from Marayoor to Kanthalloor with tourists arriving at Munnar and Marayoor. Starting from Marayoor, the off-road ride takes the tourists to eight tourist spots. Major locations are Marayoor Sandalwood Forest, Sugar Factory, Kanthallur Bhramaram Shooting Point (Erumadam), Apple Garden, Honey Rock, Aadivayal Waterfall (Offroad), Irachilpara Waterfall and Muruganmala, the last being the the most popular spot among tourists.

Only jeeps can traverse the uneven terrain. Most tourists consider this as an adventure trip. It takes five hours to visit all these places, covering a distance of around 50 km. The drivers charge Rs 2,500 per ride and accommodate seven to eight people at one go.

Tourism is one of the major sources of income in Marayoor along with agriculture. Drivers said the decision has impacted their sole source of livelihood. “Jeep must get tested every year. A retest costs between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh. Vehicle models manufactured from 2000 to 2010 are used here for this ride. I have two children who study Class 3 and nursery school. Other than driving, we don't have any other means to earn a living. Most of the people who drive jeeps do not know any other job,” said Sateesh Kumar, a jeep driver.

Now tourists go sightseeing in their own vehicles. "I bought a jeep on loan. I must pay Rs 14,000 per month to service my debt. If there is no off-road ride, I have no means to pay back the loan EMI. Even during the 2018 flood, Muruganmala was not closed,” said Manikandan, who has been driving a Jeep here for four years.