DEHRADUN: The administration has closed Nainital's famous tourist destination Tiffin Top for tourists after cracks surfaced around it. Nainital District Magistrate Dhiraaj Singh Garbiyal had directed that a joint team of a geologist, district disaster management officer, assistant engineer irrigation, PWD, revenue and forest department carry out an on-site inspection there. After the assessment, the team suggested that the movement of tourists be stopped until a permanent technical survey is conducted.
Garbiyal said, "Until there is a permanent geotechnical survey, movement on the Tiffin Top platform has been restricted for the safety of tourists and locals."
The report of the survey committee formed earlier said, "There are cracks around the viewpoint here. Investigations have revealed that the cracks at the northern and southern ends have arisen due to the sliding of carbonate rocks." Garbiyal has also restricted the movement of tourists and locals around the access point based on the recommendation report given by the committee.
This comes after cracks had developed in hundreds of houses in Joshimath in Chamoli district.
Tiffin Top is also called Dorothy's seat after Dorothy Kellett, the wife of Colonel JP Kellett, a British Army officer. Colonel Kellett built this seat on top of the hill in memory of his wife, who was killed in a plane crash. Situated at an altitude of 2290 metres above sea level, the hill has a spectacular view. Being preferred for picnics, it is popularly known as Tiffin Top.