For 21 year old Bharat Singh, a student of SS Memorial College and dozens of his friends this time of the year is the perfect occasion for sightseeing, excursions and flocking picnic spots around Ranchi in search of thrill. However, their adventure trip is likely to disappoint them as the department of tourism has no plans to beautify picnic spots and make them fit for the trip.
Even as the Minister Tourism is going around making promises of developing tourist spots, the department of Tourism has chosen to sit idle and wait for situation to drive them in action. The department, except erecting signage at Dasham fall to prevent people from drowning, has so far not been able to beautify favourite spots like Hundru and Panchghag.
“We make preparations according to situations. So far there is nothing in pipeline for picnic spots,” said Deputy Secretary Tourism, S K Sinha.
Incidentally, the Tourism department had filled-up two deep holes on the bed of Dasham fall which is notorious for claiming lives of around 100 picnickers.
Interestingly, couple of months back the department had planned to beautify Hundru and Getalsood and provide additional facilities to visitors. However, for picnickers to the core this is too little for a city known for its water-falls and beautiful water reservoirs.
“Government’s focus is too narrow and it doesn’t move beyond one or two picnic spots. I don’t know how they dream of promoting Jharkhand as tourist destination,” said Ashutosh Prasad, a retired official of CMPDI who prefers to go on picnic in winter.
Even as the water-falls are waiting for renovation several water-bodies incidentally flocked by people who cannot go to far flung places is also crying for attention from the municipal body. Stinking water, dart with filth and waste the water bodies have become a place to avoid for picnicking.
“Can you enjoy lunch near Kanke damIJ The water stinks so much that one would vomit whatever he eats,” said Manoj Kushwaha of Morhabadi.
Officials of Ranchi Municipal Corporation were unavailable for their comments about preparations for making water-bodies suitable for picnickers.