SHELL OUT A BIT MORE
>> The jeep fare this season stands at Rs 500 per seat, a hike of Rs 100 as compared to Rs 400 the previous year
MORE TRIPS IN OFFING
>> Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar assured the jeep owners of increasing the limit of trips per day, which is around 225 at present
CROSS RIVER WITH EASE
>> A sum of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for construction of a ramp at Collem, which would facilitate locals in crossing the river
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PONDA: Marking a beginning to the tourism season, domestic tourists flocked to Collem for a jeep drive to the picturesque Dudhasagar waterfalls on Tuesday, the day being a holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanti. The 14 km drive to Dudhasagar from Bhagwan Mahavir National Park at Collem was inaugurated by Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar.
At the inaugural function to kick-start the tourism season, dignitaries present stressed on keeping the wildlife area clean and encourage Swacch Bharat abhiyan.
The jeep fare this season stands at Rs 500 per seat, a hike of Rs 100 as compared to Rs 400 the previous year. As the number of tourists visiting Dudhsagar is increasing every year, the forest department has asked jeep drivers to keep control on speed. The tourists are also told not to carry water and liquor bottles during the journey, as potable water facility is being provided by the forest department at frequent points of the journey.
Collem Sarpanch Gangaram Lambor, Deputy Sarpanch Khushi Velip, panch Nisha Shigaonkar, Dudhsagar Tour Operators Association president Tribolo Souza, RFO Paresh Parab, Panch Nandish Desai, Beny Azavedo, Naresh Shigaonkar, John Fernandes, Janba Lambor, Kamlesh Mardolkar, Santosh Naik and others were present.
Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar assured the jeep owners of increasing the limit of trips per day, which is around 225 at present. "I know that there are around 430 jeeps engaged in this drive, everyone should get good business. Hence I will try to increase the trip limits. Even it will benefit tourist as sometimes they have to go back as trip service stops due to limit," Pauskar said.
Pauskar said that wild life and forest has its own laws, which sometime becomes a hurdle in achieving the goal. "When Railways gets the permission for their infrastructure, we should also get some relaxation to carry out new things for tourism activities," he said.
He said that a sum of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for construction of a ramp by the GSIDC at Collem, which would facilitate locals in crossing the river. "The project has been passed by the GSIDC and we are awaiting NOC from the Wildlife board," he said.
Tribolo Souza said that Dudhsagar waterfalls was the best site to enjoy holidays in Goa. "Please protect environment and wild life area," Souza said while also appealing to keep the area trash-free. He also asked the drivers to be polite with tourists, so they cherish the moments and come back again.
Sarpanch Gangaram Lambor said that environment and wild life should be taken care of. "We need to take care when we enjoy the trip," He said.
A seven-seat jeep can be hired at Rs 3500 for single trip. Collem Panchayat too earns in lakhs providing life saving jackets, which is mandatory, at Rs 40 per person.
Referring to the demands of the association to construct a bailey bridge to cross the river in the wildlife area, Pauskar said that he will pursue it with government. The association had given a proposal to GSIDC to construct bailey bridge at ‘Bhendi Fator’, to stop water getting polluted. The villagers residing along the river flowing from Dudhsagar consume the water of this river. Referring the demand, Pauskar said that it is under consideration.
