Boating fare in Naini lake doubled

Now, ₹420 will be charged for the full round of Naini Lake and ₹ 320 for the half round, said one of the officials quotes above.

After a gap of nine years, the fare for boating in Nainital’s Naini Lake has been doubled from the earlier fixed price, officials in the know of the matter said on Monday.

Earlier, the fare was fixed at ₹210 for full circle and ₹160 for half circle. (HT)

Now, ₹420 will be charged for the full round of Naini Lake and ₹ 320 for the half round, said one of the officials quotes above. Earlier, the fare was fixed at ₹210 for full circle and ₹160 for half circle.

Chairman of Naav Chaalak Samiti of Nainital, Ram Singh Bisht said, “The discussions about increasing the boating fare had been going on for a long time. A proposal to increase fare was passed by the municipality board.”

“Until Friday, the fare was fixed at ₹210 for full circle and ₹160 for half circle. Of the total amount, ₹10 was to be paid to the municipality board. After implementing, the new fare system, ₹420 will be charged for the full round of the lake and ₹320 for half round, of which ₹20 will be the municipal tax. This fare has been increased after a gap of nine years” he said.

Last, the fare for boating in the lake was increased in 2013. In 2018, the boat ride fare was to be increased, but the same could not be implemented due to protests.

Secretary of the Naav Chaalak Samiti of Nainital, Nain Singh Chauhan, said, “At present, a total of 312 boats are operating in Naini lake, of which 222 are rudder operated and 90 are pedal operated. At least 450 operators are registered.”

Municipal chairman of Nainital, Sachin Negi said, “There was a demand for increasing the boating fare in Naini Lake for a long time. This proposal was approved in 2018 as well but it got stuck due to protests. Now after getting consent from all stakeholders, the new boating fare has been implemented from January 20, 2023. In times of inflation, the operators will benefit and the municipality’s revenue will also increase.”

The mango-shaped Nainital lake surrounded by hills is situated at an elevation of 1938 metres, with a width of 360 metres and 1442 metres at present. Nainital lake is the main source of drinking water in the small hill station. The daily withdrawal of water from the lake is to the tune of up to 8 to 18 million litres per day (MLD), with water withdrawal peaking in summer months. The water level in the lake keeps fluctuating depending on the water seepage in the lake and the withdrawal of water daily.