Only a rusted iron stump, instead of a signboard or fence, warns visitors against venturing further into the waterfall. (Prashant Mitra)

The rain god did a good job this monsoon, making Dassam Falls, 144ft above sea level, brim again with natural water springs.

But the state mandarins, as usual, did nothing. So there’s hardly any tourist traffic towards the majestic splendour of the ancient rocks and gushing waters.

Forty kilometres from Ranchi in Taimara Ghati near Bundu, the destination has not found favour with tourists en masse owing to inadequate security cover, poor upkeep of infrastructure and lack of value-adds such as refreshment joints and the like.

“Ab pehle jaisa raunak nahin hai yahan. Logon ka aana bahut kam ho gaya. (There’s no glamour of its heydays left. Tourist turnout has decreased drastically),” said Mansukh Horo, the owner of the lone tea stall.

Though the mesmerising beauty of the falls has immense tourism potential, it stands as an example of the state’s lost opportunity.

New facilities such as kiosks, lavatories and seats, built using around Rs 5 lakh of public money in 2009-10 as part of the Shibu Soren-led government, are in a sorry state in the absence of caretakers.

The so-called winter tourist season has begun but authorities are yet to wake up to the stench and eyesore, thanks to the littered garbage.

Villagers said stray groups of visiting youngsters or lovebirds who did come, left behind empty bottles, packets and leftover edibles. “There is no one to take care of this place,” Horo said. “At times, we (villagers) do it,” he added.

“We used to be regulars here on weekends, but for the past two-three years we stopped coming. What surprised me this time is the amount of filth strewn around. Surprisingly, there are signboards set up by tourism department to use the dustbins, which are nowhere in sight,” said Rajnish Banerjee, a rare picnicker who came with his family.

Over the years, the falls also shot to infamy due to drowning deaths and utter lack of security. Even now, there are hardly any visible measures, not even basics such as signboards to indicate danger zones or safety barricades.

According to residents, a boy slipped some two months ago while getting his photograph clicked. “He couldn’t be saved. He was a part of a group of tourists from Calcutta,” claimed Horo.

However, tourism director Siddharth Tripathi claimed matters were being mended. “We are getting things in place at Dassam Falls, from cleaning up the venue to beefing up security. Everything will be in place in the next one week,” he said, reiterating their commitment to the massive festivals (Mahotsavas) this tourist season at favourite destinations such as the falls.

Logistics of special security arrangements were being worked out at waterfall joints, he added.

“I don’t have records of deaths here but drowning incidents were rampant few years ago mostly due to negligence. We will ensure full safety this time by installing chains and nets to mark danger zones,” said the director.