A speedboat service is all set to be launched in the picturesque Wyra Lake on Saturday, as part of efforts to harness the enormous tourism potential of the water body, situated around 24 km from Khammam town.
The Tourism Department initiative is likely to revive ambitious plans mooted earlier to transform the lake into a hub of water sports and a major tourist destination. Currently, two pedal boats are being operated by members of a youth group comprising local fishermen as part of the community-based tourism promotion project, sources said.
The Wyra reservoir was constructed more than eight decades ago during the Nizam’s reign. It irrigates over 20,000 acres of agricultural lands spread across Wyra, Thallada and a few other mandals. The lake is also famous for fishing activity during the prime season. Moreover, it is the prime source of drinking water for several villages in Wyra and its neighbouring mandals.
Notwithstanding several ambitious statements in the past, initiatives towards developing water sports here have failed to take off.
The Tourism Development Corporation had constructed a wayside amenities complex along the Khammam-Kothagudem main road in the mandal headquarters town of Wyra for the benefit of tourists two years ago. The facility has been leased out to a private firm to operate facilities like canteen. This was done with an intention to service tourists headed towards destinations such as Wyra Lake and Bhadrachalam.
