Planning for a picnic with your family or friends this New YearIJ Think twice as most of the spots are no longer safe. The spots which used to be fun point for the picnic revelers have now turned into a henroost of criminals and local goons in drunken State.
In the wake of recent Bara Talab incident where four people died due to an overcrowded boat capsised, State Tourism Department had issued guidelines for picnic spots of remote areas. According to the plan the department has asked the Panchayati Raj representatives to participate in ensuring the safety of the visitors, place medical camps in all the spots, keeping an eye that no one enjoys boating without life jacket and ensure that picnic spots are not occupied by drunken. Ironically, the guidelines are on the paper only with no relevance on ground.
Narayan Singh went with his family members to Johna falls and was shocked to find that no effective security arrangements were made for the visitors. He said, “local people who have placed their stalls are extending all possible help to the visitors. As far as security is concerned the department stands exposed.”
Echoing him, another picnicker Neha who accompanied her coaching students to Dasam Fall said, “The fall is considered the most dangerous spot. Every year during this season the media highlights untoward incidents from this place. After hearing the guidelines of Tourist department we made our plan but the spot narrated us a different story. No security arrangements have been made. One comes here entirely on their risk.”
Meanwhile, when Tourism Department Secretary Sajal Chakraborty who had mooted the plan was enquired over the matter he passed the buck on the members of Panchayats. “We have strictly ordered the Panchayats to ensure safety of picnickers and make necessary security arrangements for visitors coming to their area. We have been informed that the instructions are being followed by the Panchayats. If they are not following the instruction then it is shows their failure not of the department,” maintained Chakraborty.
He further added that the department will look into the matter and take necessary step in accomplishing the plans.