Tourists visiting Nainital from across the country and abroad will soon have to pay an eco-tourism fee upon entering the city. The Nainital Municipal Board has approved a proposal to collect this fee from tourist vehicles arriving via the Kaladhungi route. However, the final implementation is subject to legal consultation.
Revenue Boost Plans Approved
During a board meeting held at the municipal auditorium, 18 proposals, including the city’s revenue and expenditure for January, were presented. Key approvals included the introduction of an eco-tourism fee, charging tourists visiting Tiffin Top, and imposing an annual verification fee for external laborers.
Collection from Kaladhungi Route
Executive Officer Deepak Goswami stated that currently, the city collects fees only at the Lake Bridge Toll, leaving the Kaladhungi route untaxed. Following the model of Mussoorie, the eco-tourism fee is expected to boost municipal revenue. Local residents will be exempted from the fee.
Councillor Mukesh Joshi recalled that a toll collection existed on this route earlier but was discontinued following court orders. Due to legal concerns, a final legal opinion will be sought before the proposal is implemented.
Additional Municipal Approvals
The board also approved the cancellation of the lease of the DSA Ground given to the sports department, opting for the municipality to manage sports activities directly. Other approvals included the digitization of municipal documents, increasing the wages of outsourced workers, and clearing pending payments.
Municipal Chairperson Saraswati Khetwal stated that proposals for installing railings, constructing roads, and adding streetlights in various wards would be completed once the budget permits. The meeting was attended by Executive Officer Deepak Goswami, Councillors Vinod Jeena, Jitendra Pandey, Mukesh Joshi, Ramesh Prasad, Ankit Chandra, and other staff members.
