Rampaluga picnic spot — Attraction in Odisha

A place of natural beauty and definitely worth a visit, and also worth a full-day plan for families and school/college groups. Below are the basic details, PROs and few CONs of this place.

About Rampaluga: It's a picnic spot on the banks/backwaters of the Hirakud dam reservoir (Mahanadi) towards the Jharsuguda district side (rest all famous spots of Hirakud are on Sambalpur district side). It's basically a river fishing ghat that has now emerged into a tourist spot (just like "Tamdei" used to be in Bargarh district side). It's around 50-60 km from both Sambalpur as well as Jharsuguda sides.

PROs:

Majestic view of Mahanadi backwaters & sunset: Here you can get a very wide, and panoramic view of the the Hirakud reservoir (Mahanadi) backwaters, with many forested hills on the horizon. The sunset in this place is really beautiful and many people stay late just for that. Rampaluga's main picnic spot is basically between a small hill and Mahanadi backwaters. And the left-to-right view that you get of the waters is many miles long. I found this the main USP of this place.

Affordable & safe boating: Here the local fishermen have turned their wooden fishing boats into tourist boats that you can rent. Good thing is that all of them offer you good life-jackets, and also these are motor-operated boats. Renting is done at boat-level, not individual seat level. To get in between the facing "Suakani" island and the boating jetty costs 700 rupees, and to get to the Suakani island and back costs you 1300 rupees (you can get down at Suakani, we did). You can bargain if you want (we didn't). You can also spot some foreign migratory birds while boating. Even though we had previously travelled by Odisha Tourism speedboat 40 km from Debrigarh Zero Point to Govindpur, still this experience using wooden boat was interesting.

Camping & parking: There is camping place for big picnic groups (school, college, family) on the hillside, and a very large parking spot as well to accommodate dozens of vehicles, including buses. There's even a small light house.

Safer shores: Unlike the Sambalpur Hirakud dam side, which has the main reservoir waters, these backwaters are not that deep and the slope is less. So these waters are quite safe, even to walk into and have fun. Also, as this is also a fishing area with lots of fishing boats and fishermen around, help is easier to arrive in case of any emergency.

CONs:

Fishing cottage industry debris: Like I mentioned, this place was basically a fishing ghat, and still fishing is the main activity here. Lots of wooden fishing boats operate from here, and lots of pickup trucks come to load the fish. As such, the shore is littered with lots of thermocol covers, discarded nets, etc.

Over-tourism & commercialization: This has already started here, and the fishermen told us that at the rate at which numbers of tourists is growing here, soon there will be eateries, dhabas, shops etc. here. Once that happens, the forested hillside on the shore will no longer be the same beautiful place as it currently is (especially as nearby village is not far and they can easily come here to clear trees and set shops). Even at 5:30 PM, this place was full of people, as well as...

*A Disappointing and Disturbing Experience: added photos do not refer to the ambiance yet it is a beautiful place you can see in photos

I am compelled to share my appalling experience at Rampaluga Picnic Spot, which I visited on 21st December 2024. The spot, which promised a serene and enjoyable getaway, turned out to be a nightmare due to the rampant water pollution, garbage, and utter disregard for visitor comfort and safety.

Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the deplorable state of the waterbody. The once-pristine waters were now polluted with trash, plastic, and other waste, making it an eyesore. The stench emanating from the water was overwhelming, and it was clear that no efforts had been made to maintain the spot's cleanliness.

The lack of basic amenities was another major issue. There was only one public toilet, which was not only dirty but also inaccessible to females. This is a shocking oversight, considering the spot's popularity among families and groups. The absence of food shops or stalls meant that visitors had to rely on outside vendors or bring their own food, which added to the inconvenience.

However, the most disturbing aspect of my visit was the complete disregard for visitor safety and comfort. The environment was particularly hostile for ladies, with many careless and drunk individuals roaming about. The lack of security or surveillance meant that visitors were left to fend for themselves, making it an intimidating experience for many.

Parking was another major hassle, with no designated or proper space for cars. Visitors were forced to park their vehicles haphazardly, which not only caused congestion but also posed a risk to the vehicles themselves.

To make matters worse, the boat owners operating at the spot were extremely incooperative and unprofessional. They seemed more interested in fleecing visitors than providing a safe and enjoyable experience.

The pièce de résistance was the massive riot that broke out during my visit. The chaos and violence that ensued were a testament to the spot's mismanagement and lack of oversight. It was a harrowing experience, and I was fortunate to escape unscathed.

In conclusion, my experience at Rampaluga Picnic Spot was an unmitigated disaster. The spot's neglect, lack of amenities, and disregard for visitor safety and comfort make it a place to avoid. Until the authorities take concrete steps to address these issues, I would strongly advise against visiting this spot. A rating of 1/5 is generous, considering the plethora of problems that plague this picnic spot.

Rating Breakdown:

Cleanliness: 0/5 Amenities: 1/5 Safety and Security: 1/5 Environment and Ambiance: 1/5 Overall Experience: 1/5

Recommendation:

Avoid visiting Rampaluga Picnic Spot until the authorities address the issues mentioned above. Instead, consider alternative picnic spots that prioritize visitor comfort, safety,...

The way to the spot is good as road is amended a bit but the still to be renovated as is broken but narrow 2 four wheelers cannot pass easily across. Also many sharp bends and due to tall grass you cannot guess the another vehicle coming cross. After you reach the spot there is not parking space as specified since no crowd in normal days. The park is still under construction and as per the site location you can rate 5 star. Wall graffiti is up to the mark. There are boats every where. You can hire one to get into the water and enjoy the ride. There is also a boating place but I was not able to visit. If you visit in the morning you can be able to purchase fresh fish at minimum charges. There is not shed for picnic hence carry you own or get the shed of tree. Wood fuel is also allowed. No Eve teasing since seen as I have visited thrice. People do talk well when asked. Under construction watch tower also available. You will be...