BELAGAVI
With the arrival of the monsoon, waterfalls in the ghats between Belagavi and Goa are in a full flow and the world-famous Dudhsagar waterfalls have offered a wonderful sight amid the lush green dense forests.
The breathtaking Dudhsagar waterfalls, which is arguably the most recognisable icon of the Hubballi Division of the South Western Railway (SWR) in the Vasco-Tinaighat area, is now even more attractive, due to multiple measures initiated by the SWR for the convenience of tourists.
Late Union Minister of State (Railways) Suresh Angadi had taken a special interest in developing a site about 600 meters from the Dudhsagar Railway station for tourists and measures were initiated under his direction in 2019.
Basic amenities for passengers such as toilets, a tea stall and a pathway to walk from the station to the Dudhsagar waterfalls were made for the convenience of tourists and to popularise the falls as a place of tourist interest.
When the curfew and other restrictions are lifted, authorities hope that the Dudhsagar waterfalls will be a tourist destination for tourists visiting Goa.
“The Mormugao Port to Castle Rock railway line was part of the erstwhile West of India Portuguese Guaranteed Railway (WIPGR). Castle Rock used to be the border/immigration post between British India and Portugal territory,” SWR Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said.
Among the facilities provided to promote tourism, a pathway has been made from the release of concrete sleepers from the station to waterfalls in an environment-friendly manner without incurring a new expenditure.
SWR authorities have beautified the location in front of Dudhsagar waterfalls and a 'stepped garden' has been constructed. Benches have been provided with shelter for tourists to sit and enjoy the scintillating view.
“The area can easily accommodate about 75 persons at a time. The highest point in the stepped garden also serves as a 'viewing point' from where a clear and better view of the waterfalls can be had,” Hegde said.
Parapet walls with steel grills as barricades at the edge of the cliff for the safety of tourists/passengers have been provided, he added.
Earlier this year, Addl GM SWR PK Mishra and Jogendra Yadvedu, both rail-history/heritage scholars Dudhsagar, discovered a heritage structure and initiated efforts to restore the structure.
“The structural stability of the building is being examined with plans in place to restore this heritage structure,” AGM P K Mishra said.
“If structurally fit, the building will serve as an important viewpoint/gallery for tourists to climb up and soak in the view of the beautiful bountiful nature in monsoon,” he added.
