Amenities Could Boost Tourist Footfall at Karimnagar Falls

With the weekend approaching, families, youth, and students are proceeding to Raikal, Gourigundala, Pandavalonka, and Ramunigundala, which are among the famous waterfalls in the district.

People living in the surroundings of these waterfalls say many more people would visit once the district administration builds minimal facilities at these locations.

The picturesque Raikal waterfall is located amidst the forest in Saidapur mandal, about 42 kilometres away from Karimnagar town. Water falls down about 200 metres from the hillock named Jendagutta. Upstream of Jendagutta, there are another three small waterfalls.

A series of about 30 hillocks called Kotagiriguttalu are the main source of water for the Jendagutta and upstream waterfalls. Whenever the rainy season starts, water starts accumulating and flows downhill before turning into waterfalls for about a period of three months.

The Raikal and related waterfalls attract people not only from the surroundings but also Karimnagar, Huzurabad, Warangal, and Siddipet districts. People brave the muddy road from Raikal and trek three kilometres to witness the water fall from Jendagutta.

Even then collector Sarfaraz Ahmed and commissioner of police V.B. Kamalasan Reddy trekked the distance in October 2017. Speaking on the occasion, the collector assured that steps would be taken to develop the waterfalls. These included laying a road from Raikal village to the waterfalls; developing steps to negotiate the hillocks, and ensuring other amenities with the help of Forest and Tourism departments.

Following this, gram panchayat officials prepared the estimate for a three-km long cement-concrete road which would be six-foot wide and include a culvert. The project cost has been estimated at ₹2.5 crore. However, there has been no progress so far.

Of three kilometres, only 200 metres falls within the forest and the remaining area belongs to the Revenue department. “There should be no hurdle in laying the road at least over the revenue land,” observed Raikal sarpanch Chada Akhila. She has followed up on the matter with the area MLA Ponnam Prabhakar, who is also the Transport minister. The sarpanch says she is awaiting the minister’s response.

On their part, Forest department officials have prepared estimates worth ₹50 lakh to establish a view point, toilets’ shed, dressing room, and a borewell. The estimates have not received the administrative approval, Akhila said.

Coming to Gourigundala waterfall, which is 10 km from Peddapalli on the Peddapalli-Manthani main road, authorities do not allow tourists whenever the flow of waterfall is heavy, as two youngsters had died after falling from hillocks a few years ago.

Local people have asked the district administration to take safety measures and build facilities for visitors, including toilets.

Another waterfall is Pandavalonka located between Jafferkhanpet and Vennampalli of Kalvarirampur mandal, about 25 km away from Peddapalli town. Visitors have to walk 3 km from Jafferkhanpet as there is no road facility. Locals want the government to lay a road to reach waterfalls.

A popular site is the seasonal waterfall at Ramunigundala in Peddapalli district, about two km from the Ramagundam Railway Station and six km from Godavarikhani coal belt town. Water rolls down from hillocks and falls into three pits one after another.

There is a Venkateshwara Swamy Temple on top of the hillocks. Tourists can stay in Godavarikhani where a number of lodges are available.