Impact of COVID-19 in Kodaikanal Hills

A Minus and Plus to Real Estate in Kodaikanal

Tourists everywhere, heavy traffic, busy boating in lakes, crowded gardens, waitlisted tickets and room bookings are the normal scenes any one can see at Kodaikanal during every summer with an increase in tourist population year by year.

But this summer is different. There are rare scenes seen in Kodaikanal today.

“Kodaikanal Lake is calm without boating”

“Botanical Garden is deserted”

“Coakers walk is neglected without visitors”

“Hotels and restaurants are empty”

“Tourist sports are abandoned”

“Roadside shops are closed”

This is probably the rarest scenes at Kodaikanal since it became popular a century back. It is due to the impact of COVID 19 (Corona Virus) and the total lockdown of Hills by the law imposed by State and Central Governments to fight the virus. No doubt that the princess of hill station also underwent self isolation and social distancing.

The micro economy scenario of Kodaikanal revolves around tourism mainly and the people there use to spend the entire year with the revenue they earn during the 4 months of the summer season. But this year it will be a hard time for them to manage since they can’t earn and save during this summer.

In addition, the agriculture and horticulture revenue of Kodaikanal which is the second revenue source of this hill too get affected due to lack of manpower to harvest and broken supply chain to move them to towns and cities in plains for consumption.

No need to tell about the impact on the real estate in Kodaikanal business here which is severely affected. But one good thing for this industry is that the Importance and need for Self Isolation and social distancing to fight corona virus, created awareness for people to own a second home to manage such kinds of issues in the future. The first and best choice which will come to their mind will be a “Second Home” in the hill station where self isolation will be an enjoyable break.

The combination of the immediate negative impact on the income of local residents and the growing interest in lower-density living may influence property advertising and user interest in Kodaikanal, particularly for farmlands and farmhouses. However, the actual response, prices and outcome of any transaction depend on the property, prevailing market conditions and the parties involved.

Interested users can explore advertised properties in Kodaikanal on Hills & Wills—an online property-advertising platform dedicated exclusively to hill-station properties across India. Its listing and search features allow users to search, view and compare advertised property information and connect directly with the respective property owners or other advertisers. Eligible property owners and other authorised advertisers can post property advertisements under the available listing plans, subject to the platform’s terms and applicable legal requirements. Project advertisements must include the applicable RERA registration particulars or a valid basis for RERA exemption. Interested users should independently verify the advertiser, property particulars, title, permitted use, applicable restrictions and required approvals before proceeding.