Talkatora Lake: From tourist gem to neglected eyesore

Once a picturesque tourist spot, Talkatora Lake constructed by the erstwhile rulers of the city, has now become a victim of neglect, decay and political apathy.
Talkatora was a popular destination for boating and weekend getaway for both locals and tourists alike. The lake in the middle of the old city is now marred by polluted water, a dried-up garden and an alarming lack of maintenance, even though it is part of the constituency whose MLA--Mahesh Joshi-was PHED and ground water minister for the last five years.
The sorry state of Talkatora-it is now filled with empty beer cans, cigarette butts and dead pigeons-has drawn concerns from the residents, who question government's promise of preserving the city's historical and natural heritage.
"I can assure you that no government or architect can create such a lake again anywhere in the city. Former rulers blessed us by creating this beautiful lake but successive governments have failed to even manage it," said Ayodhya Das Gupta, a resident of the Walled City.
Another resident Manish Soni recounted the historical significance of the lake and how the erstwhile rulers, including Maharaja Jai Singh and Ram Singh, were its regular visitors. He said that in the past large crocodiles inhabited it and adventurous events like enticing the reptiles with food tied to ropes were organised. "This spectacle drew people from faraway places, turning Talkatora into a vibrant hub of entertainment and cultural significance," Soni said.
Two tourists from Slovenia, Aja and Emma, were dismayed as they clicked pictures alongside the stagnant lake. Emma said she was shocked at the lake's condition and said, "In European countries, fines are imposed for littering lakes. Lake water is preserved as a valuable asset." Her friend Aja said that it was disappointing that a potential tourist spot was being neglected.
Raj Singhal, who runs a confectionery and coffee shop outside near the lake, recollected the better days when efforts were made to maintain this water body. "Former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma took up the task of cleaning up the lake. I remember the time when water was pristine, and there were long waiting queues for paddle boats," Singhal said, adding that successive leaders did not make attempts to revive the lake, which could have helped increase local businesses too. Another local, Kanhaiya Lal, said that the lake was slowly turning into a suicide point.