THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Thirty-two tourists were fined a total of Rs 16,000 after they were caught illegally trekking along railway tracks to reach Dudhsagar Falls during a special enforcement drive conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the Hubballi Division.
The action was taken on Sunday during a weekend special drive in the Dudhsagar region, where a special task force led by the Sub-Inspector of RPF, Castle Rock, carried out surprise inspections between Dudhsagar and Sonalium railway stations.
All the offenders were booked under Section 147 of the Railways Act, as amended under the Jan Vishwas Act. Each tourist was fined Rs 500.
South Western Railway has prohibited public access to Dudhsagar Falls through the railway route in the interest of public safety. Despite the restrictions, railway authorities said that some visitors continue to enter the prohibited railway corridor through forest routes, particularly during the monsoon season, putting their lives at risk and endangering the safe movement of trains.
The latest enforcement drive forms part of intensified surveillance in the Dudhsagar area under the guidance of Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Alok Kumar. The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Railway Protection Force, Belagavi Unit, in coordination with the In-Charge of the Vasco RPF Post.
