JOIN USEven as weekends see a good number of tourists making it to the Chunchi Falls on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the tourist spot lacks basic safety measures.
Located some 90 kms from Bengaluru, the Chunchi Falls in Kanakapura taluk could be viewed standing on the edge of a rock at a distance. However, this view point does not even have railings.
Right at the entrance of the tourist destination, a board put up by the government states that over 30 people have lost their lives at the spot in the recent times. Yet, the warning seems to serve any purpose. When DH visited the spot, several college students were seen clicking selfies there.
“We see so many youngsters coming here. They take a look down and try their own trails to get down to the falls. This is unsafe. Though they are warned, they pay no heed,” said Lokesh N, a local resident.
It is after a trek of about one kilometer that one gets to view the falls at a distance on the opposite side of the rock. The trail to the edge of the rock ends in a cliff.
With no railings to take support from, the spot is a dangerous one, say tourists. “The government could probably think of building some railings or putting warning signs. Youngsters who are usually playful, risk their lives trying to click selfies,” remarked Ramani of Chennai who had come to the falls. The trail also lacks sign boards that guide visitors on the path that they could take to reach the falls.
When contacted, Minister for Tourism Priyank Kharge said that safety measures need to be put in place not just at the Chunchi Falls but at many other tourist spots in the state. “Only when mishaps happen, people rue lack of safety measures.
Following many deaths at dam backwaters, waterfalls and cliffs, we are taking note of what precautions have to be taken. To put these measures in place at all these locations would mean a huge infrastructure burden on the State. We must also keep the aesthetics in mind while doing any changes,” Kharge said.
DH News Service