Chandigarh to spruce up Sukhna Lake to attract tourists

CHANDIGARH - The popular Sukhna Lake here is all set for a major overhaul, with additions like better landscaping, lighting, new walkways, trekking trails, a garden of silence and a tourist information centre, an official said Monday.

Keeping in view the tourist attracting capacity of Sukhna Lake, there is a need to enhance the tourism infrastructure here. We will construct new walkways, trekking trails, tourist seating places, public conveniences along with beautification and landscaping of the existing environs at the back portion of the lake, Chandigarh’s Home-cum-Tourism Secretary Ram Niwas said here.

According to officials, these would be created under the integrated development schemes of this union territory and will be financially supported by the union ministry of tourism.

A specially laid meandering cycle track amidst the landscaped area would promote cycle tourism. The fish pond at the regulator end of the lake will be upgraded as an aquatic life centre with colourful images of water animals like dolphins, whales and fish, he added.

The lake, with the picturesque Kasauli hills of the lower Himalayas in the backdrop, was conceived by architect Le Corbusier and his team who planned Chandigarh in 1958.

The lake is frequented by scores of morning and evening walkers every day, besides hundreds of tourists and other visitors. Boating is a very popular activity with tourists. Over 100 paddle and rowing boats and five ’shikaras’ (house boats) are booked daily.

With better illumination, tourists would be able to spend more time at the lake during late hours. Enchanting light effects will become a major source of attraction. We would also open a new souvenir shop by next month at the lake, Niwas said.