Team Herald
PONDA: The opening of Dudhsagar waterfall for tourists – already delayed by the unseasonal rains – may get pushed back further as the Jeep operators have threatened to stop ferrying tourists if the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) does not withdraw the online booking facility. GTDC had proposed that tourists will start visiting the majestic waterfall from October 21.
In a recent meeting held by government with various tourism stakeholders, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had told the DJTA members that the government will keep the online service for a month and depending on the response from tourists, a decision would be taken on continuing it.
The Dudhsagar Jeep Tour Association (DJTA) at Collem held a meeting of all the Jeep owners on Friday and informed them about the Chief Minister’s decision. Following a heated discussion, it was unanimously decided that until the GTDC closes the online booking platform, they won’t provide their services this tourism season.
It may be recalled that Goa Forest Development Corporation Chairperson Deviya Rane had also announced through the media that the government had prepared to start the Dudhsagar tourism season in Collem on October 21, but now it was difficult to say whether the tourism season would start this year or not due to the decision taken by the Jeep Tour Association.
The Collem Dudhsagar tourist season usually starts on October 2. Hence the Collem market and all the shops and other businesses that depend on tourists, had prepared for the season. But the season for deferred by two weeks due to heavy rains. Due to this, the locals have already suffered heavy losses.
They have now demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should take note of this situation and take a proper decision that will be useful to all.