To combat overcrowding and traffic congestion, authorities in Uttarakhand are planning to implement a mandatory pre-registration system for tourists visiting Mussoorie during peak seasons. The decision comes after a significant surge in footfall, with visitor numbers doubling between 2022 and 2024. In 2024, the hill town received over 21 lakh visitors, a substantial increase from over 11 lakh in 2022.
Under the proposed system, tourists will need to register online and obtain a QR code for entry. Enforcement will occur at key checkpoints using Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Vehicles entering Mussoorie will be screened, and tourists without a valid QR code may be denied entry. The tourism department plans to install ANPR systems at three identified entry points: Kimadi, Kempty Fall, and Kuthal Gate. Staff will verify the QR codes before allowing entry.
Secretary of Tourism, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, stated that the pre-registration system would primarily operate during peak seasons, including summer and winter holidays, as well as long weekends. The goal is to estimate the number of tourists and vehicles arriving during these periods by installing cameras at the three entry points. The online registration process will be OTP-based, with Indian tourists receiving their OTP via phone and foreign tourists via email. The registration form will collect details such as the number of tourists, contact and vehicle numbers, tour duration, and accommodation information.
The decision to implement pre-registration follows concerns raised by stakeholders regarding recurring overcrowding and traffic problems. Long traffic jams, particularly on weekends from Gandhi Chowk to Mall Road, have become frequent. In June 2025, a tourist from Delhi tragically died after being stuck in a traffic jam and unable to reach a hospital.
Sandeep Sahni, President of the Mussoorie Hotel Association, and others present at a meeting with tourism officials, voiced their concerns about the recurring problems. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also previously recommended regulating tourist influx in Mussoorie to prevent ecological damage, similar to the Joshimath land subsidence crisis. An NGT-appointed panel suggested charging tourists and using the funds for waste management and cleanliness.
The pre-registration system aims to strike a balance between promoting tourism and managing its impact on the town's infrastructure and environment. While Mussoorie has always been a popular destination, the increasing number of visitors has strained resources and led to congestion. The new system intends to help authorities study and assess the situation, enabling them to take effective steps such as implementing one-way roads for entry and exit. Authorities have also halted construction on Mall Road after a court order, citing concerns that ongoing work may worsen traffic congestion.
