The lowering of water level in the upper lake is not only affecting water supply but also the tourism. The Upper Lake and the Sair sapata are the two spots in Bhopal where visitors can avail boat rides. The water level at Sair sapata has gone down so much that it is not feasible for the authorities to operate boats for the next two months. At the Upper Lake the situation is similar and that the visible portion of the jetties which are used to get inside the boats is getting large in size.
Operation affected
The upper lake has over 50 boats of various types. However, to get inside these boats it has now become necessary to go through jetties. Jetties are floating blocks used in a makeshift arrangement in water where pedestrians walk to get inside their boats.
The boats available includes: a cruise boat, 2 Zalpari, 4 speed boats, a water scooter, 1 rescue boat, 18 peddle boats, a para sailing boat, 2 wind surfers, a lancer points- that are being operated by the MPSTDC. The operation of water scooter, wind surfers and para sailing boats has been stopped by the Madhya Pradesh state tourism development corporation (MPSTDC).
Only bumper boats are operational
The Sair sapata only bumper boats are operational as it is operated in an artifical arrangement for minors, only. Six Peddle boats and 2 shikaras as well as 4 bumper boats were being operated at the Sair sapata, earlier. On the other hand, no boating is done at the lower lake as the area has no fixed spot for parking.The lower lake has equal potential for the boat ride but due to shortage of space for parking, the any facility of this nature is not available there.
