An extended walking track and a cycling track are being planned at the picturesque Mannu Palla lake here. The lake is a tourist spot that attracts a lot of people.
This lake is located in about 100 acres of land in Manipal. Of this 100 acres of land with natural greenery, 75.45 acres is filled with water. The water is sourced from a natural spring. There are a lot of plant shrubs and tree species around the lake. The trees around the lake provide the much-needed shade for those who go there for walking.
What adds to the beauty of this lake is a half-acre man-made islet amid it. This islet attracts a lot of birds. The beauty of the lake with this small islet surrounded by water is best enjoyed during the rainy and winter seasons. During peak summer, the water in the lake gets reduced.
The district administration has given its nod to work to remove silt from the lake-bed. Along with it, an estimate of ₹ 98 lakh has been prepared for extending the walking track and electrification of the area.
According to Project Director of Nirmiti Kendra Arun Kumar, the walking track around the lake now is about six feet wide and it would be extended by another six feet.
When the walking track was constructed some years ago, space had been reserved by its side to extend it. Lamps would be installed next to the walking track, he said. The extension of the walking track would help people who come for walking in the mornings and evenings.
The cycling track would be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹ 59 lakh.
The cycling track would go around some trees at some places around the lake. It would have some curves.
Besides the walking and the cycling tracks, ground levelling work of the area earmarked for parking space near the lake and a connecting road would be taken up at an estimated cost of ₹ 41 lakh.
“The intention behind taking up all these works is to attract more people to the lake,” said Project Director, Urban Development Cell, G. Santosh Kumar.
