Ranchi's scenic picnic locations face mounting complaints about basic civic facilities. As winter brings more visitors to local dams and waterfalls, people report serious shortcomings in essential amenities.
Waste Management Problems Plague Waterfall Areas
Popular waterfalls around Ranchi show clear signs of neglect. At Hundru Falls, Dassam Falls, Jonha Falls, and Remix Falls, visitors find waste bins either missing or completely inadequate. This situation forces people to litter openly, damaging the natural environment.
Rakesh Kumar recently visited Hundru Falls with his family. He expressed clear frustration about the conditions. "There are no dustbins near the falls," Kumar explained. "People end up throwing plastic plates and bottles everywhere. This really spoils the natural beauty of these places."
Safety Concerns Grow After Dark
Lighting has become another major issue at several locations. Areas that remain crowded until evening often lack proper illumination. Some spots have non-functional lights, while others suffer from poor maintenance.
College student Pooja Verma experienced this problem firsthand at Tagore Hill. "At some places like Tagore Hill or Kanke Dam, the lights don't work at all," Verma said. "In other areas, there is simply no maintenance. It becomes quite risky once darkness starts to fall."
Toilet Facilities Remain Inadequate
Visitors consistently report poor toilet conditions across picnic spots. Even where toilets exist, many remain dirty and unusable. This creates particular difficulties for women and elderly visitors.
Sunita Devi, a picnicker at Dhurwa Dam, highlighted this ongoing issue. "Even where toilets exist, they are smelly and not usable," Devi stated. "Women and elderly people suffer the most because of these conditions."
Safety Measures Missing at Dangerous Areas
Many visitors also notice the absence of proper safety measures. Clear prohibition signs and protective barricades are often missing near dangerous stretches. This allows people to venture too close to hazardous areas.
Rakesh Kumar observed this problem during his visit. "People cross permissible limits and go very close to the water," Kumar noted. "This happens because there are no warning boards or guards to stop them."
Tourism Department Responds to Concerns
Ranchi tourism nodal officer Shivendra Kumar addressed these complaints directly. He confirmed that several improvement measures are already underway.
"Toilets at major locations, including waterfalls and dams, have been updated," Kumar stated. "They are being cleaned regularly by our staff. Tagore Hill, Kanke Dam, and a few other spots are currently undergoing comprehensive civic amenities upgrades."
The tourism official emphasized ongoing efforts to address visitor concerns. However, picnickers continue to experience problems during the busy winter season.
