Team Herald
PONDA: Tourists making the long drive to Collem to witness the stunning Dudhsagar Waterfall are met with disappointment as the Dudhsagar tourism season has yet to begin, stalled by an ongoing deadlock between jeep operators and the government. Many visitors, unaware of the delay, are forced to turn back, having hoped to see the waterfall’s monsoon-fed splendour.
Local residents report that over the past week, tourists have continued arriving at Collem, some calling ahead to inquire when the season will start. The delay is also impacting local business owners who rely on the tourism season for their livelihoods. Following the monsoon rains, Dudhsagar flows with impressive force, attracting thousands of visitors keen to experience the spectacle.
The season was initially expected to start on October 2 but was delayed due to extended rains. Although the government later scheduled the season to begin on October 19, a steep hike in online booking fees by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has deterred many potential visitors. In response, the Jeep Tour Operators Association has halted operations, demanding that the government close the GTDC booking counter and allow their association to handle bookings at a nominal rate.
A recent meeting involving Savordem MLA and GTDC Chairman Ganesh Gaonkar, former MP Vinay Tendulkar, BJP Block President Vilas Desai, and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant led to a tentative agreement to reduce the GTDC booking fee by Rs 100. However, the Jeep Operators have yet to accept this offer, maintaining their demand to manage bookings independently at a nominal rate of Rs 30.
The final decision by the government remains pending as discussions continue.