BELAGAVI
South Western Railway (SWR) authorities have appealed to tourists not to use railway tracks to reach Dudhasagar waterfalls, which are presently off-limits for visitors, and have warned of legal action against those flouting the ban orders.
SWR authorities have claimed that despite continuous warnings, some over-enthusiastic youngsters try to reach Dudhsagar defying the ban orders.
It may be recalled that despite a ban by the Goa government and Karnataka forest authorities amid a spate of drownings in water bodies in forested areas, hundreds of tourists descended on Dudhsagar railway station last Sunday.
Goa police and Railway Police had a tough time controlling the crowd and resorted to minor punishments like sit-ups and were, in turn, blamed for harassing tourists. The tourists complained of their ignorance over the ban.
According to SWR officials, tourists need to check websites, newspapers and other social platforms to check about entry to waterfalls, which are normally banned during the peak of the rainy season. Adventurous youngsters, however, try to walk a 14-km distance on railway tracks from Castle Rock railway station to reach Dudhsagar, which is dangerous.
“It is a single line and has many tunnels. Legal action would be initiated under Section 147 of the IPC on the lawbreakers,” SWR Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said.
“From time to time, information and awareness campaigns/messages are done (via various media platforms). The staff deployed in the Ghat section also advise tourists not to walk on tracks or de-board at Dudhsagar station, as it endangers their own safety. We appeal to passengers to respect the law in the interest of their own safety. Walking on tracks amounts to trespassing which is punishable under Railways Act,” Hegde urged.
“Apart from this, the RPF personnel and other staff are also engaged in counselling those trying to flout the rules,” Hegde said.
Stating that the waterfalls are clearly visible from the coaches of the train, he said tourists are requested to savour the beauty of Dudhsagar Falls from within the safety of their train coaches.
