Shikaras will float on Sukhna soon

The man made picturesque Sukhna Lake will soon have buggies (horse carts) and Shikaras, to add more in its beauty.

Chandigarh, better known as the City Beautiful and common capital of Punjab and Haryana, is to get two new attractions to boost tourism: horse carts and ‘shikaras’, the gondola-like boats( a traditional Venetian rowing boat) that too ply on Srinagar’s Dal Lake.

These proposals were approved at the meeting of Board of Directors of the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) held yesterday under the chairmanship of Home Secretary-cum-CITCO Chairman Krishna Mohan.

The shikaras, made of wood, will float on the surface of lovely water of Sukhna Lake, while horse carts will ply between the lake and the Rock Garden, another most popular tourist spot, a CITCO statement said. These boats can seat up to six people and are paddle-driven.

In the beginning, five such horse carts will be purchased.

According to CITCO officials, the proposals come after the intention to promote Sukhna Lake as a major water resort to fascinate tourists on the lines of Shikaras at Dal Lake in Srinagar. CITCO has already received two bids for the Shikaras, officials informed.

Meanwhile, CITCO has also decided to take over the operations of the new block of UT Guest House to manage it in a more professional manner. Officials asserted it would give rise to new opportunities and avenues for the workers of CITCO.

Adding to this, it was also determined that the interiors of Hotel Mountview would be redecorated to give it a new look. Officials informed Rs 52 lakh will be spent for the execution of this work.

A high-powered committee under the leadership of Managing Director J.S. Bir has been established to examine all technical aspects of the projects/ schemes. Vivek Atray Director Tourism was also present at the meeting.