Park at Palair reservoir all set for revival

Tough task awaits the gram panchayat entrusted with work considering the enormity of the job

Boats lying unused for want of repairs at the Palair reservoir in Kusumanchi mandal in Khammam district.–PHOTO: G. N. RAO

A herculean task awaits the Palair gram panchayat, which has taken up the task of maintenance of the spacious park abutting the scenic surroundings of the Palair Balancing Reservoir in Kusumanchi mandal.

The park which once attracted tourists from far and near has lost its charm over the years, as it lies in total neglect.

Though the park was well maintained by a group of local youth, some of them trained by the experts from the National Institute of Water Sports, several years ago, the community-based tourism promotion initiative has failed to sustain its tempo and yield the desired results.

The grand plans of the Tourism Department to develop the scenic locales of the balancing reservoir spread in over 1,700 hectares under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model hit a roadblock due to land related issues. This has left the park being poorly maintained and undeveloped.

Two each speeding boats and pedal boats were introduced in the reservoir as part of the ambitious plan to develop the site into a major water sports and recreation zone several years ago.

However, all the four boats have been lying unused at the water body for want of repairs.

In a renewed effort to revive the community-based tourism promotion initiative, the Tourism Department has reportedly handed over the task of maintenance of the park to the Palair gram panchayat recently.

Maintenance works

The government departments concerned have released a sum of Rs. 3 lakh to the gram panchayat for undertaking repair and maintenance works at the park besides clearing the power bill arrears of Rs 60,000 incurred on account of the use of lighting facilities at the park.

However, the assignment taken by the gram panchayat appears to be tough considering the enormity of the task to revive the park to its original glory and restore the recreational facilities including boating at the site.

A requisition has already been sent to the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation for sanction of two new boats for reviving the boating facility in the Palair reservoir, said Suman Chakravarthi, District Tourism Officer, Khammam.

A community-based tourism promotion initiative has been launched to enable the gram panchayat take up the task of maintenance of the park at Palair reservoir with an aim to boost tourism in Palair.