The Laknavaram lake resort in Jayashankar-Bhupalapalli district, being developed under the Swadeshi Darshan scheme of the Central government, is in the process of getting its second ropeway to withstand the growing tourist footfall.
The present ropeway of 172 metres only supports 200 persons at a time, while the one under construction would have a length of 150 metres, and would be completed in September or October this year.
Both the ropeways connect to a base island inside the lake, from where boats are deployed to transport the tourists to another island.
In all, three islands would be developed to house the tourists. The existing accommodation is set to be augmented with the construction of 24 log huts on both these islands, to accommodate more tourists, said General Manager (Tours) of TSTDC, G. Yugandhar.
As of now, the islands have eight cottages each, costing ₹2,000 for a day of stay.
Eight battery-operated vehicles would be purchased at a cost of ₹30 lakh each to be plied from the point of parking up to the ropeway.
Two boating jetties, tribal multi-product display centre, rock gardens, watch towers, gazebos, solar lights, parking space, road crash barriers, lake-view decks, water sports, and other tourist amenities are being developed at a cost of ₹28 crore, as part of the Warangal Tribal Circuit.
Laknavaram was one among the three famous irrigation lakes dug by the rulers of Kakatiya dynasty in 13th century, and it gets water from the surrounding verdant hillocks. It can hold 1.135 tmc ft of water during monsoon, but could go parch dry during summer months. One single good rain can fill the lake to the brim, forming 13 islands in total. It is said that the construction technique does not allow silt inside the lake.
A visit to Laknavaram lake forms part of the TSTDC’s one-day package tour to Bogatha falls.
