South Western Railway flags incorrect info, warns against trekking around Dudhsagar falls

A leading publication had published a traveler’s guide for those planning to visit Dudhsagar falls during the monsoon. Despite warning the tourists that the waterfall is off-limits in the monsoon, it had elucidated various trekking routes they could follow to reach the falls. 

These included the Castle Rock route, a 6 hour route requiring them to travel through tunnels and the 11-kilometre-long-scenic path from the Collem Railway Station. 

The South Western Railway termed the report as misleading and incorrect. It further reiterated that trekking along the tracks is dangerous and a punishable act under the Railways Act. 

This news report by .@timesofindia is incorrect and misleading. Trekking along the tracks is dangerous and also a punishable offence under Railways Act, and is not to be encouraged.https://t.co/RUNpUSLhbTpic.twitter.com/auCmGbDJRe

— South Western Railway (@SWRRLY) July 16, 2023

Some users of the social media platform, Twitter pointed out that the Railway Police Force (RPF) had allowed people to trek last week which led to rumours that it is now permissible to do so. 

Earlier, visuals of the RPF personnel making a group of people being made to perform the Uthak Baithak exercise (squats) along the railway tracks close to the Dudhsagar falls made rounds on the internet. 

ಕಾರವಾರ: ಜಲಪಾತ ನೋಡಲು ಹೋದವರಿಗೆ ಬಸ್ಕಿ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ#UttaraKannadapic.twitter.com/h5nBnra8Ns

— Prajavani (@prajavani) July 16, 2023

Section 147 of the Railways Act, 1989 clearly states that any person entering into a part of the railway without prior legal authorisation, he or she is liable to a punishment of 6 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs1000.