The ‘Niagara of Bastar’ Chitrakot Fall is shrieking and shedding tears on its days of penury in pitched dark nights, thanks to the apathy of tourism department officials who are not able to even repair lights despite whopping budget for boosting tourism in Chhattisgarh.
Notably, to facilitate tourists watch the majestic water fall during the night flood lights were installed on the premises near it a decade back. The tourists were enjoying the facility too. But due to poor upkeep over two dozens of flood lights have gone out of working from a year back leaving just one in operation which is in no way enough to illuminate the sprawling area.
local officials alleged that earlier they had some financial powers due to which minor repair or replacements were done easily. Now, as all the monetary powers have been centralised at State level office located at Raipur, permission for even replacement of a switch has to be sought from the Raipur office which takes its time. local officials have kept the single floodlight glowing on their own resources and cannot be said when it too would give up.
Tourism officer posted at Chitrakot Waterfall Kamlesh Singh says ‘’Information regarding the floodlights having broken down has been sent to Raipur but till date those light have not been repaired. Since, the spare parts of flood light system are very costly and all the financial powers have gone to Raipur, proper maintenance at local level was not possible,’’ he added.
likewise, for ensuring safety of tourists, the department had done iron rods barricading around the massive water fall which was washed away in flood sometimes back. A number of people have lost lives after falling in to the deep waterfall, but department officials are still turning a Nelson’s eye towards the safety of tourists as no fresh barricades have been set up yet. Also, the department had posted two constables near the fall for security of visitors but the same was also withdrawn after sometime.