Earlier a trip to Dudhsagar was possible via the jeeps deployed by the forest department, but this year due to the rising levels of the water en route the department has decided to prohibit the jeep rides and instead allowed the Goa’s unique motorcycle pilots to take people to the Dudhsagar. It might cost a little extra but the ride will be memorable
The Goan Pilots are known for their most convenient and reasonable ‘two-wheeler taxi service’, which exists only in the state of Goa. Although the numbers of pilots are declining with the time, and due to various reasons like, increase in rent bike facilities in the state. But small villages in the state where public transport is still an issue, the Pilots play a major role in ferrying people from one point to another.
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During the monsoon, a trip to Dudhsagar is more in demand, as everyone wants to venture into the largest waterfall that exists in Goa. But due to the rocky terrain reaching Dudhsagar is highly difficult. Earlier the were Jeeps available to ferry the people to the Dudhsagar, but due to the rising water level, the Jeep rides have been prohibited till the monsoon gets over.
This time, the forest department has decided to become more innovative and get the Goan pilots on board to ferry tourists to the waterfall. But for that, you will have to reach the nearest point which is situated in Collem.
According to the reports, Visitors can now enjoy Dudhsagar waterfalls via motorcycle pilots from Collem. Goa’s unique transport service has been roped in by the Forest Department to ferry visitors to the falls; an initiative that kicked off from Thursday onwards.
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The Necessity is a mother of invention, and that logic fits here perfectly. The innovative idea of making the use of Goa’s unique transport service at Dudhsagar waterfall came into the existence due to the restrictions on a Jeep ride for the duration of monsoon on the account of rising the water levels along the route.
Meanwhile, the new innovation will not remain as a permanent feature, and it will end in 45 days despite the citizen’s raised safety concerns, and the Jeeps will resume their operation post-monsoon, said the sources.
“While this is being done to ease the journey, the site is only open for viewing waterfalls. Visitors will not be permitted to access the waterbody owing to the risks of monsoon,” a forest official told the media.
The officer made it clear that just like Jeeps the private bikes will not be permitted on this route. “We will not permit the private bikes on this routes, however with the prior registration of two-wheeler with the forest department and payment of nominal fees the bikes will be given a day permit. But it is very risky to go there on your own,” he said.
Meanwhile, the motorcycle pilots roped in have been instructed to not carry more than one person at a time for which they are allowed to charge Rs. 1000 per head for the ride up and down. The distance which pilots will ride is approximately 25KM from the pickup point and a maximum of 125 motorcycle trips are allowed per day, said the sources.
Sources also said that the road is currently in a bad condition, and the forest officials have taken up the initiative of ferrying passengers with the help of motorcycle pilots. As a precautionary measure, the pilots have been instructed to provide their pillion riders with a helmet, life jacket, and raincoat.
These provisions are being covered by the motorcycle association to which the pilots belong. “Repairing of roads will be done simultaneously. By the time the jeeps resume, the ride will be smoother,” forest officials added.
The route for this trip starts from Colem bus stop to ‘Bhind Fator’ in Dudhsagar. A compulsorily trekking of 2km has been imposed on this trail. From ‘Bhind Fator’, motorcycle pilots pick up visitors and ferry them to Dudhsagar waterfall and vice-versa.
SOURCE: TOI
IMAGE SOURCE: DNA | TRIP ADVISOR | DUDHSAGAR PLANTATION
