AI Generated Summary
- In a significant push to unlock Bathinda’s tourism potential, the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) has initiated the process of hiring a private consultant to create a detailed master plan for the beautification and development of the city’s artificial lakes.
- In March, while addressing a question raised by local MLA Jagroop Singh Gill in the Vidhan Sabha, Sond had affirmed that if the district administration proposed a detailed plan, the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department would respond promptly to support the initiative.
- A small food joint also operates at the site, offering a glimpse of the area’s potential as a local food and recreation hub.
In a significant push to unlock Bathinda’s tourism potential, the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) has initiated the process of hiring a private consultant to create a detailed master plan for the beautification and development of the city’s artificial lakes.
These man-made lakes, originally developed over five decades ago alongside the construction of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, have long remained an untapped resource. Though located in the heart of a region known for its semi-arid landscape, the lakes have seen little attention since the thermal plant shut down in 2018.
Now, officials are hoping to reverse that trend.
“These lakes can be transformed into a vibrant attraction for both tourists and residents,” said Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, Additional Chief Administrator of the BDA. “With expert consultation, we’re aiming to redevelop the area into a major recreational and tourism hub.”
The move aligns with a statement made earlier this year by Punjab Tourism Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond. In March, while addressing a question raised by local MLA Jagroop Singh Gill in the Vidhan Sabha, Sond had affirmed that if the district administration proposed a detailed plan, the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department would respond promptly to support the initiative.
Among the ideas previously considered was the ambitious plan to connect two of the lakes—numbers 2 and 3—and convert them into a rowing facility meeting international standards. However, progress stalled after engineering assessments revealed challenges such as extensive silt deposits and a basin wider beneath the surface than initially expected.
“With the new consultant, we hope to finally obtain a viable and detailed report on how best to proceed,” added Dhaliwal.
BDA Superintending Engineer Tarun Aggarwal confirmed that the tendering process to appoint the consultant is underway, with approval recently granted.
While full-scale development is still on the horizon, the lakes currently host a range of water sports and leisure activities, including parasailing, jet skiing, pedal boating, and speed boating. These were introduced in 2011 during the SAD-BJP government through the efforts of then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. A small food joint also operates at the site, offering a glimpse of the area’s potential as a local food and recreation hub.
With the upcoming consultancy report expected to guide a more expansive makeover, residents and officials alike are optimistic that Bathinda’s lakes will soon become a centerpiece of regional tourism.
