The Chikkaballapura District Administration has imposed a complete ban on tourist and vehicle entry to Nandi Hills on February 14, citing law and order concerns and public safety risks. The restriction will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on Valentine’s Day.

The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Prabhu under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following a request from district police authorities.

Officials stated that Nandi Hills, located near Bengaluru, experiences heavy footfall during weekends and special occasions. Typically, around 16,000 to 18,000 visitors and nearly 5,000 vehicles visit the hill station on such days. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, authorities anticipated an even larger crowd of up to 20,000 visitors, raising concerns over severe traffic congestion.

The narrow and winding ghat road leading to Nandi Hills makes it difficult to manage high volumes of vehicles. The administration also expressed concerns about potential drunken behaviour, public nuisance, and unsafe activities in restricted zones at the hilltop. Police have been directed to strictly enforce the order and prevent entry at key checkpoints to ensure public safety.