13 years on, watchtower at Sukhna Lake yet to be reconstructed

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

As the UT Administration decided to facelift the island in the Sukhna Lake for attracting tourists, the Chandigarh Rowing Association (CRA) opposed the move. Gutted in a major fire on October 7, 2009, a four-storey watchtower at the island was an iconic structure of Chandigarh. It was set up in the early 1980s at the time of the Junior Asian Rowing Championship.

The tower was not only used to keep a watch across the entire lake but had also helped the CRA to become eligible for hosting many national and international championships.

It was a boon for rowers as well, since it allowed them to practise on a 2-km stretch of the lake under the supervision of experts. The rowers have been demanding the reconstruction of the watchtower on the island for 13 years.

“It was one of the best international rowing courses in India. And it has been destroyed due to the non-caring attitude of the UT Administration. The 2-km rowing course was reduced to 1 km. We have written enormous letters to the UT Administration, but to no avail. The iconic ‘watchtower’ was one of the main components for the rowing fraternity here. It helped us to become eligible for hosting international and national championships,” said Rajiv Sharma, Secretary, CRA.

“Since 2019, we have been awaiting the reconstruction of the ‘watchtower’. The Administration has entire premises to come up with activities for attracting tourists. The Administration is not even bothered about purchasing wireless sets for our rowers. Through the watchtower, we were not only able to have a clear view of the patch, but also easily communicated with officials. The Administration, before making the Sukhna Lake a mere ‘tourist spot’, should also think of players.”

Plans for facelift of island

The Administration has floated tenders to engage consultants for providing consultancy for design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of floating musical fountains, a laser-show system and RGB lighting at the Sukhna island (in synchronisation). Sources claimed the tender value is approximately Rs10 lakh.