Vagamon’s beauty is breathtaking. It has everything a tourist looks for in Kerala- lush meadows, scenic landscapes covered in mist, rolling hills, tea estates, rivulets to stop by and a wonderful climate.

However I am not here to talk about the beauty of Vagamon but rather the absolutely terrible roads I encountered in my recent weekend trip. It was what I would call close to a nightmarish driving experience.

I am not certain how the honourable CM Pinarayi Vijayan plans to make Kerala a tourist paradise without improving basic infrastructure such as roads. (Let’s not even talk about lack of basic facilities at such tourist places. I don’t even want to go there)

“Once our state, the country and the world survive COVID-19, Kerala will once again become a tourist paradise,” Pinarayi Vijayan, CM, Kerala.

Do note that the Kerala state govt as part of its plans to boost tourism sector, intends to develop adventure centres across the state but tragically the only adventure we come across are the dilapidated roads which we have to overcome much like a challenging obstacle course. 

 There are absolutely no road signs ahead of the Kattapanna – Vagamon road to warn tourists that the road ahead is unmotorable.  As per information from local residents the roads have been closed for quite some time with no information on its completion. 

I strongly urge tourists to stay away from the Kattapana- Vagamon road until such time the roads are repaired. (As on November 1st 2020) 

Be warned unless you have a 4W drive vehicle with good clearance, DO NOT take the Kattapana- Vagamon road.
Sharing a few photos of my experience. Hope the Honourable Chief Minister’s Office intervenes immediately.

I hope readers share from their personal experience of their travels in Kerala on civic issues which need to be tackled head-on rather than paying lip-service.