Hyderabad: For those looking to enjoy a boating experience, the pond at Public Gardens is a sure shot dampener. As it turns out, the water body within the park has two pedal boats, which lie pointlessly on the banks of the pond.
As water is virtually non-existent, officials of Horticulture Department, who are custodians of its environs, say that they have stopped boating facility in the pond. Ironically, officials blame the sweltering heat for the parched pond.
“Earlier we used to see the pond filled to the brim with people queuing up to take a boat ride, but currently it has dried up and the boat rides have been stopped,” said Ghulam Yazdani, president of the Public Garden’s Walkers’ Association (PGWA).
Other walkers said that these were effects of a harsh summer which are being laid bare every day.
“Actually, the water levels have been getting reduced for the past three years. What remains now is a surface whereby boats would be scraping its floor,” said Vishwanath Agarwal, another regular walker.
According to Horticulture Department officials, water in the pond, which measures 10,000x3 sq ft, s left at the mercy of the rain gods.
“Water levels will increase only it begins raining, which last happened in October, when heavy rains lashed the city. As the temperature continues to rise, the water level is receding,” said an official of the department.
As it turns out, the lake used to be connected to the Hussain Sagar lake through nalas, which have now been blocked by encroachers. Officials are planning to dig borewells to fill the pond.
“Bringing a tanker into the garden is difficult. So we are planning on having borewells, which can feed the lake,” he added.
The department is in talks with the state government for the plan to move forward.
