Closure of Sukhna Lake leaves tourists, locals disappointed

The closure of popular tourist destination Sukhna Lake following bird flu scare here has left tourists and locals in the city disappointed, even as the famous landmark of the city which attracts thousands of people everyday wore a deserted look today.
The authorities yesterday restricted the movement of public around the Sukhna Lake after a sample of geese from there tested positive for bird flu. The authorities have said that the entire lake will remain out of bounds for people till further orders.
A total of 110 geese were culled on the island in the middle of the lake yesterday.

On a normal day, the lake is a buzzing place with the visit of tourists and locals who come there for morning and evening walks. However, today, it wore a deserted look as entry to public was closed from the entrance of the water body to its regulator end as a precautionary measure.
The lake, with a radius of 1 km, has been barricaded and there are mostly policemen wearing masks and gloves at the entry and exit points.
According to a Chandigarh Tourism Department official, the lake attracts nearly 8,000 tourists on weekends and 10,000-12,000 on weekends.

With Christmas round the corner, the footfall was expected to increase, the official said, adding that the lake is likely to remain out of bounds for public at least till the festival.

"It is unbelievable. It is sad that we cannot visit the lake this time during our stay. The children accompanying us are feeling even more dejected. But we can understand that the authorities have taken the step for everyone's health and safety," said Pradeep Mukherjee, a tourist from Kolkata.
"It is hard to believe that we cannot come here for our morning walk, but the sad reality has started to sink in," Gurdeep Singh, who lives near the lake, said.
A few odd tourists who reached the site unaware of the lake being closed for public were sent back.
The closure of the lake has also affected government-owned Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation which runs a restaurant, souvenir shop, juice counters and other outlets, besides organising boat rides, there.