The chilly weather is nothing but a treat for nature lovers, with a trip to one of the city’s many parks or lakes being the icing on the cake. The Osmansagar – more popular as the Gandipet lake – attracts scores of visitors every day.
While the vast water spread and the greenery around it is an attraction for citizens, the surrounding area or the open rocky space opposite the garden near the lake, however, has turned into a den for gamblers and drunkards, who have littered the picturesque locale with filth and garbage.
Only a few steps away from the view-point of Osmansagar, the terrain is littered with garbage and shards of broken alcohol bottles everywhere.
“I went to Gandipet last week to take pictures of the sunrise. But seeing how things are in the open space is just very sad, as it has lot of potential to turn into a tourist attraction,” said Syed Aziz, a resident of Ibrahimbagh.
Like him, several others venture into the rocky area regularly, only to see filth everywhere. Ramakrishna, a morning walker, also lamented the neglect by the authorities, and said the lake area was devoid of any security whatsoever.
“If there were some security personnel, then maybe drunkards and gamblers could be kept away. One can find them drinking and gambling in the area after it turns dark,” he said.
Many families keep away from the open terrain as it offers an unsavoury sight.
“I had to lie to my seven-year-old brother about alcohol bottles being soft drinks after he wandered into that place some months ago,” recalled Vishal Singh, an MNC employee.
When contacted, Water Board (HMWSSB) officials said the place was jointly maintained by the Forest Department and the HMWSS&B.
“We have floated tenders for the security of the areas surrounding the lake, and we will make sure no such activities take place there,” said a water board official.
