Belagavi: Doodhsagar, one of the most famous waterfalls in the country which turns into a favourite tourist attraction during the monsoon, has become out of bounds for tourists this time. The Railways is preventing tourists from boarding trains to reach this almost inaccessible spot near Castlerock after several tragedies occured in the last two years.
The turnout of tourists at the falls, had increased drastically in the last few years after several films including Chennai Express and Maina, were shot here. Tourists depend on trains, which are the only mode of travel, to reach this spot. What forced the Railways to stop entry into the spot is the death of some people while they were trying to explore dangerous spots near Doodhsagar where tourist presence is prohibited.
To reach the bottom of this waterfall, tourists must board trains from Castlerock or Quelem stations and get down at Doodhsagar station. They have to walk at least 1 km from Doodhsagar station to reach the spot. Most trains enroute to Goa or moving from Goa towards Belagavi, briefly halt at Doodhsagar in the interests of tourists, although it is not a designated station. Several railway police personnel have been deployed at Castlerock and Doodhsagar to prevent tourists from boarding trains to avoid possible accidents. According to sources, the Goa government has urged the Railways to allow entry of tourists into Doodhsagar. The Doodhs0agar falls provides a spectacular view with the onset of the monsoon and appears like a stream of milk rushing down the mountains in the Western Ghats. The spectacular waterfall measuring more than 600 metres high, splits into three streams as it gushes down the lush-green patch of the Ghats. It is in the middle of Karnataka-Goa border and is visible only to those travelling by trains between Belagavi and Goa.
