Charter trains could make comeback at Dudhsagar falls, govt eyes tourist flow

Its a good idea to introduce a charter train. The government should also develop basic infrastructure for tourists who will visit the area.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Charter-trains-could-make-comeback-at-Dudhsagar-falls-govt-eyes-tourist-flow/articleshow/52719345.cms

After having the Dudhsagar waterfall ‘offbound’ for a year, authorities have suggested that ‘charter trains’ could solve the issue.

A charter train was operational on the Colem-Dudhsagar route in 2011 on a trial basis. After an incident of an attack by a mob of visitors on an express train on July 12, 2015, the railway protection force (RPF) has banned the entry of visitors at the scenic Dudhsagar waterfalls at Colem in Dharbandora taluka.

For the first time in history, the popular tourist destination has worn a deserted look for nearly a year now. With the exception of RPF personnel and local police staff, nobody is seen at the falls. This is in stark contrast to when a large crowd of visitors would be seen every weekend.

Dudhsagar waterfall is equally popular among Indian and foreign tourists. Dudhsagar, literally means Sea of Milk, is a four-tiered waterfall and is among India’s tallest waterfalls with a height of 31 metre and an average width of 30 metre.

The charter train that was started on a trial basis by the Goa tourism development corporation in 2011 used to ferry tourists from Colem railway station to Dudhsagar railway station and vice-versa. The train was discontinued after having less response as the tourists used to prefer the general trains passing through the route, said collector, south Goa, Swapnil Naik.

Now, the south-western railways has also agreed to offer an engine with three bogies to run the charter train on the Colem to Dudhsagar route, Naik added.