As the water-levels at Cauvery starts to increase, word of conducting Jalapathotsava is also being heard regularly. Malavalli legislators recently expressed that the energy ministry should bear the cost of conducting the festival.
Gaganachukki has already hosted two Jalapathotsava’s. Both times, the State was run by coalition governments. A lot of unfulfilled promises were made about making Gaganachukki into an attractive place for tourists.
Promises included improving basic facilities and providing thousands of rupees for developmental programmes. Ambitious projects such as ropeway were also made. However, all these promises are yet to become true.
Losing importance
Even though Gaganachukki offers a mesmerising view to tourists visiting Shivanasamudra in Malavalli Taluk, it is losing its importance in the tourist route because of the lack of facilities.
The place is frequented by people from Bangalore and Mysore. The 17 km road from the state highway to the town is in good condition, but final stretches are yet to be repaired.
The place lacks a toilet. It also doesn’t have any shelter to protect visitors in the rainy season. A few benches put-up many years ago has also been broken.
Jalapathotsava was held in a grand manner when Dr K Annadani was MLA and P M Narendraswamy was a minister.
Blueprint disappears
During this time, a blueprint to install cable cars, improve roads and also provide basic facilities was planned.
Gaganachukki falls under the Hosahalli grama panchayat. Dust bins have been place in a few places, but the police help centre has been closed.
When tahsildhar B Vani was contacted, she said that no information pertaining to development of the tourist spot has been sent by the tourism department.
It is to be seen when the local legislators and other elected representatives take measures to make Gaganachukki a better place for tourists.
