Mussoorie to require pre-registration for tourists during peak season: All you need to know

Mussoorie is soon to tighten entry rules—tourists may need to pre-register online before visiting during peak season. (Image: Canva)

In the high ridges of Uttarakhand, where cool mists wrap themselves around deodar trees and time seems to slow, the beloved hill town of Mussoorie is preparing to adopt a new chapter in tourism management. Beginning soon—though no official start date has yet been announced—travelers may be required to pre-register online before being permitted to enter the town during crowded holiday periods.

This decision, which has been under discussion among local authorities for several months, stems from an unprecedented rise in tourist numbers. Recent data reveals that Mussoorie welcomed over 2.1 million visitors in 2024, a figure that nearly doubles the footfall from just two years prior.

A Town Overwhelmed by Its Own Popularity

Mussoorie has long been referred to as the “Queen of the Hills,” a moniker it earned for its colonial-era charm, panoramic Himalayan views, and gently winding lanes that once inspired writers and wanderers alike. Yet in recent years, its romantic appeal has brought with it an avalanche of seasonal visitors, resulting in severe congestion, overburdened infrastructure, and regrettably, even tragedy.

In June this year, a tourist traveling from Delhi reportedly passed away after being caught in a traffic snarl so severe that emergency medical assistance failed to arrive in time. The incident shocked the region and lent urgency to the implementation of more structured visitor management.

How the New Entry System Will Operate

The proposed system is, at its core, a digital registration process intended to regulate the flow of vehicles and visitors during peak seasons such as summer vacations, winter holidays, and long weekends. The process is expected to unfold as follows:

• Advance Registration: Before embarking on the journey, tourists will be asked to complete an online form providing their names, number of travelers, vehicle registration, length of stay, and lodging arrangements.
• OTP-Based Authentication: Domestic visitors will receive a one-time password (OTP) via mobile phone; international tourists will be verified through email.
• QR Code Generation: Upon successful submission, a unique QR code will be issued, which must be presented at designated checkpoints.
• Checkpoint Clearance: Visitors without a QR code may be turned away at three main entry points—Kimadi, Kempty Fall, and Kuthal Gate. These access routes are being equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to track incoming vehicles and verify entries.

Officials have emphasized that the initiative is not intended to discourage travel but to ensure a safer, smoother experience for all. On peak weekends, traffic along the stretch from Gandhi Chowk to Mall Road can remain gridlocked for hours, making even the simplest outings a test of patience. Local residents, emergency responders, and businesses alike have voiced concern over the unchecked chaos.

In addition to easing traffic woes, the data collected through this registration process will enable the district administration to anticipate visitor volumes, plan for emergency services, and safeguard Mussoorie’s fragile ecology.

Entry into Mussoorie is soon to tighten with a mandatory pre-registration system set to roll out for peak travel periods. (Image: Canva)

Surveillance and Strategy

Surveillance cameras are also being installed at the key entry points to monitor the real-time number of arrivals. This information will be crucial in preventing the kind of bottlenecks that have become all too familiar in recent seasons.

Meetings between tourism officials and local stakeholders are already underway, with final decisions on logistics and implementation expected soon.

When to Visit

Mussoorie experiences its highest tourist footfall during April to June (summer holidays), late December to early January (winter break), and over festive weekends. These are the periods during which the new registration system is likely to be in effect.

Getting There

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, approximately 60 kilometers away in Dehradun.

By Rail: Travelers can disembark at Dehradun Railway Station, about 36 kilometers from Mussoorie.

By Road: Well-connected highways link Mussoorie to major northern cities, including Delhi and Chandigarh.

Sights Worth Seeing

Once inside the town, visitors can look forward to a selection of scenic and cultural landmarks:

1. Kempty Falls, popular for its cool, cascading waters.
2. Gun Hill, offering wide Himalayan views from a colonial-era ropeway.
3. Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie.
4. Camel’s Back Road, ideal for quiet evening walks.
5. The Mall Road, with its classic cafes and souvenir shops.

(With inputs from agencies)