Rajasthan lakes to offer a taste of Kashmir

Tourists will have a taste of Kashmir in Rajasthan, as Govt will offer shikara rides in different lakes.

Tourists will now be able to have a taste of Kashmir in Rajasthan, with the government planning to offer 'shikara' rides along with other facilities like water scooters and houseboats in different lakes.

HT Image

Officials said the government would launch boat rides for tourists at Ramgarh Lake, 15 km from here. To start with, four paddle boats and a 'shikara' would be put into service but their number would be increased later.

The package is part of a public-private partnership initiated by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corp (RTDC). The RTDC will hold 35 percent share of the project.

"A contract has been signed with Udaipur-based Yash Amusement under which the company would manage boat rides for five years," Rajesh Sani, managing director of RTDC, told IANS.

"Shikaras are already being used in Bundi and Udaipur lakes. After launching it in Jaipur's Ramgarh Lake, we plan to extend it to lakes in other cities like Kalyana in Jodhpur and Gawari in Jhalawar.

"After the monsoon season, when the lakes would have more water, we also plan to start water scooters and houseboats," said Saini.