Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 18 February 2025.

 

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 

18 FEBRUARY 2025.

Since our arrival, we have been eyeing the boats moored at the Resort jetty.

The boats belong to the Boat Club established by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Though it is the boat club jetty is located on the Resort land and is even manned by the staff of the Resort, it is an independent entity. Meaning, that anyone, even if he is not a resident of the resort can avail and enjoy the boat rides. 

There are six boats of varying capacities. 

Two boats with a seating capacity of about four passengers.

There are two moats with a seating capacity of about 10 passengers,

Onetwin-hull double-decker boat, named " Satpura Queen" with a seating capacity of about 50 passengers; and,

One huge twin-hull, double-decker boat with a capacity of about 100 passengers. 

Passenger capacities are based solely on my assessment and will have to be verified in case one wants to hire any particular boat.

We had settled with the resort for a three-hour boat ride in a ten-seater boat of three hours duration which also included a jungle trek at the cost of Rs 10,000/-.   

As per plans, we were at the boat club jetty by 7:30 AM. The staff also arrived with all the breakfast items purees and potato subjee, tea, coffee, soft drinks, biscuits etc packed in hot- cases, and ice boxes as the case may be. 

By 8:00 AM we were away on our boat ride.

It was very pleasant. The scenic beauty of the forested hills all around was a joy to watch. 

Whenever there was a pause in discussions in our group there was a serene silence with only the phut-phut of the motorboat engine and the swishing sound of the bat gliding

Through the calm waters of the reservoir. 

We were served breakfast of purees and aloo subjee which, thanks to Hotcase, was nice and warm.  Maybe it was the boat ride or it was made well, the breakfast really tasted great and we really enjoyed it.

After about an hour's ride, we reached the point from where we were to start our jungle trek to Parsapani Eco- jungle cap where we had to pay an additional Rs 2000/- to the forest department to enter the jungle.

We went to the shore and started walking behind the guide. There was no path and we had to walk cross country. The ground was very uneven and full of sharp as well as slippery stones. Some of us were finding it very difficult and the danger of an accidental fall was very real. We decided to forgo the jungle trek. Our guide tried to assure us that once we reach the proper trail cum path it was smooth going but our mind was made up and we returned to the boat and resumed our boat ride. 

The boat staff took us in lots of nooks and crannies in an effort to show us "sunning crocodiles". Maybe it was their way of making up for our missing out on the jungle trek or it was part of three hour ride I really have no idea. We saw the crocodiles at three of the five or so places visited. Unfortunately, all we had were glimpses of crocodiles very near the shoreline and slithering in the water.

 Maybe if we had switched off the engine and glided towards them we would have succeeded in having a good look. Had a good look at the dam and returned to the boat club jetty by 11: 00 AM. 

The boat ride was a wonderful and enjoyable experience.  

Went to our rooms picked up our luggage and checked out of the resort to return to AF Station Amla.

At the halfway point had lunch.

 AIR FORCE STATION AMLA.

After reaching Amla, relaxed in the rooms. In the afternoon/ evening, we were taken on the tour of Amla AF Station. We were explained and shown what they did for their living and how they met the task for which the unit was established.

For obvious reasons, I can't write the details. 

The only thing I can say is that it was a tremendous learning experience.

 We were glad for the opportunity to see an Air Force unit at work after a gap of almost three to four decades.

I can also add that the current generation of personnel are as good as, we were in our hay days :-)

I can sleep easy knowing that the Air Force and its units are in good hands and capable of ensuring our safety & security.

Visit to the unit was possible only due to Prashant having put in a word to this effect. 

After the visit back to the rooms.

In the evening when we were having our pre-dinner drinks, AOC and the First Lady of the station dropped in to pay respect to Prashant and say hello to us.

The First Lady presented a standard half kg block of 'gud', a local area speciality, to our ladies. She invited us to visit "Shagun" a shopping outlet operated by the station ladies. After a little while they bid us goodbye.  

After dinner, it was welcome to sleep after a hectic day.

19 FEBRUARY 2025,

After breakfast visited Shagun with duel purpose. Do some shopping thus contribute a little bit to the profits of the shop which are utilised for the welfare of unit personnel and also to buy a return gift for the First Lady for her gracious gift.

After both the objects were achieved we bid goodbye to all and returned to Nagpur.

Thus ended a very enjoyable as well as memorable trip.

TAWA DAM AND AMLA TRIP : THE END.

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 17 February 2025.

 Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025.

17 February 2025.

On the 17 after lunch and a good rest, we decided to see the Dam and Shiv temple.

 Following the direction we crossed the main canal we continued straight and reached barbed wire fencing with a gate and a security fellow. He informed us that the Dam was about 100 meters from where we were standing. He wouldn't let us take our cars and we had to walk. We did not mind it as it would be only 100 meters or so. We did not realise that our estimate of 100 meters and the security guard's estimation of the same distance would be at variance.

We walked and walked still there was no sign of the damn Dam 😑

After walking for almost half a kilometre we finally reached the Dam. It was hard on Jaya who had problems walking due to injured feet.

Tawa Dam was built between 1958 and 1978. Its height is 57.91 meters and its length is 1915 meters. A huge artificial lake is created with a catchment area of 5,982.9 km² and surface area of 225 km² . The waters are used for irrigation purposes and to run two power generation plants of 6.65 MW each.

We had actually wanted to go to the top of the dam but found ourselves at the base of almost 100 feet high dam. Decided to make the best of thhe situation.

 Standing at the base the dam looked really impressive. As the water levels were low there was no overflow from the spillways. One can only imagine how terrific it would look when the spill gates are open and water is falling from the height with thunderous roar. 

After an extensive photo shoot, we slowly walked back to our cars.

Khandekars at Tawa Dam.

Khandekars at Tawa Dam.

Purohits at Tawa Dam.

Velankars at Tawa Dam.

Velankars at Tawa Dam.

Tatwawadis at Tawa Dam.

WE at Tawa Dam.

Our group photo at Tawa Dam. 

I requested the watchman,  past his middle age, to click the photo.

He said he had never taken a photo of any kind in his life.

Told him where to look and where to press.

 Showed him the result. He was thrilled to see the first ever photo taken by him in his life. 

Though it is a very poor quality photo I had no heart to delete it.

WE at Tawa Dam.

On the way back discussed where we could have gone wrong. On reaching the canal, we saw a road leading up towards the top of the bund and realised that rather than going straight after the canal we should have turned right and taken the climbing road. 

We took the climbing road 

 It reached the Shiv temple. From here there was a road leading towards the top of the dam. We considered the situation and decided not to go to the top of the dam as there was again a walk of almost a kilometre involved and Jaya's feet were killing her also it was getting dark. 

Sunset looked wonderful from there. Took a couple of photos.

From Shiv Temple returned to the resort for dinner and a well-earned Sleep.

 

 

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 17 February 2025.

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 

17 February 2025

MPT Resort Tawa.

Every group needs a leader, organiser and motivator. Our group had found one such "three-in-one" man in Prashant. He had known about this resort run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Corporation at the Tawa Dam location. In fact that knowledge was the reason we had been thinking about this trip. He did all the spade work, which was considerable and needed a 10 to 15-kilometre drive from his home to the MPTDC 

( Madhyapradesh Tourism Development Corporation) office in Lokmat Square. He also had to get our armed forces ID details to avail 25% discount offered by MPTDC to defence personnel. Our heartfelt thanks to Prashant & Manisha for doing all the work which resulted in a very successful and enjoyable trip.

Today from Amla, we proceed to the destination about which we have been thinking for more than a year: MPT Resort Tawa.

 From Amla first, we join NH 46 and about 30 odd kilometres short of Itarasi turn right at Tawa Nagar Junction and the sign board across the road announcing "तवानगर परियोजना मे आपका स्वागत है " After travelling for about 15 kilometres you reach MPT Resort Tawa.

 The scenic beauty and Excellent location of MPT Resort Tawa make the stay, along with other plus points; quite memorable and enjoyable.

On arrival welcome with welcome drinks.

Checking-in formalities are handled smoothly and efficiently. There are two types of rooms, premium and normal. Premium rooms face the scenic view of Tawa Dam and the huge lake formed by the reservoir. A welcome fruit basket awaits one in the room. These rooms are spacious and with plenty of natural lighting and cross ventilation. Bathrooms are also spacious with an attached changing room of adequate size. The lawns and infinity pool adjoining the premier rooms slope almost 100-odd feet to the boating club jetty on the lake. The property has been very nicely landscaped with plants shrubbery and palm trees. Stairs have been built leading down to the lake to the jetty of the boat club from either end of the lawn, a platform halfway down the slope with an elevated Gazebo. On the whole a beautiful set-up. The boat Club is also operated by the staff of MTP Resort Tawa for the tourism department of MP. Eight of us went for a boat ride in a 10-seater motor boat. It cost us Rs 10,000/-. The ride is for three hours and includes a jungle trek. Breakfast, tea, coffee,soft drinks and biscuits are served during the boat ride. Most enjoyable. Recommend not to miss it. The Staff was courteous and efficient and provided prompt service with a smile. The food quality in all the meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner was good, wholesome and tasty. The menu had a good variety. The Ambience, scenic beauty, staff behaviour and comfort of the rooms made the stay very memorable and enjoyable. The icing on the cake was a 25 % discount offered to serving and retired Defence Service personnel by the MP Tourism Department. On the morrow, before leaving for Amla we did the boar ride. More about it in the next post.