Lack of basic facilities is keeping tourists away from the famous Agaya Gangai waterfalls in the Kolli Hills in Namakkal district. Even though water is abundant and available throughout the year in the Kolli Hills falls, tourists prefer to bathe in other falls nearby.
To reach the waterfalls, one has to climb 1,025 steps; for, the pristine atmosphere, crystal clear water and fresh air make the one-km journey worthwhile. Visitors have to wade through the water for nearly 100 meters to reach the falls.
Rather, it is the absence of basic facilities such as drinking water, changing room, toilets and first aid that keep the ardent tourist away.
Situated close to the Arapaleeswarar temple atop the Kolli Hills, the water cascades from a height of 300 feet throughout the year. On any given day, the waterfalls receive over 50 people of all ages and double the number on weekends and holidays.
The site near the waterfalls presents a pathetic sight as it is strewn with plastic waste, beer bottles, shoes, clothes and inner garments. The lone room near the site is in a filthy condition. The doors and windows are partially broken, making it unfit for women to use it as a make-shift changing room.
On its part, the local administration has advertised the Agaya Gangai at the foothills and atop of Kolli Hills and a couple of places including the boat house.
It has opened a botanical garden, a nature park-cum-boat house that attracts large stream of visitors.
G. Priya from Tirunelveli said: “We came to this hill station after learning from our friends that it was unspoilt and unexplored commercially unlike Ooty and Kodaikanal. This place is not popular due to absence of basic facilities. We were not able to see the much talked about sandy shops at the foothill.”
K. Thiyagu from Tuticorin said not many were interested in visiting this hill station as it had 70-hairpin bends.
Moreover, the State government had plans to install a ropeway to Agaya Gangai, but it remained only on paper.
A tourism official told The Hindu “though the entry fee is collected from the visitors, its proceeds are not used for providing basic facilities. We impose several restrictions on people from carrying liquor bottles."
