Boating returns to the canals near Krishi Bhawan after 3 years

“The boat club near Krishi Bhawan became functional from July 1. It is the original boat club of this area and also one of the oldest. We plan to introduce better boats in the coming weeks,besides other facilities in the vicinity,’’ PRO manager of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) Sudhir Sobti said.

Officials said this boat club was discontinued in 2010 due to Metro work.

While the boat club near the India Gate was started in 1992 and had become popular,it had to be discontinued due to security reasons in April 2013. “We had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Public Works Department for operating the boat club near the India Gate but that had to be discontinued and the CPWD gave us permission to start the boat club near Krishi Bhawan,’’ said Sobti.

There are plans to introduce new and improved boats here. “The existing boats are very old and we are looking into what kind of boats to acquire as the canal near Krishi Bhawan is bigger,’’ an official said.

While the response to the reopening of the club has been low,officials attribute it to lack of knowledge. “We are doing our part in popularising the boat club again. We are also looking at making snacks available in one of these boats. The presence of the Central Secretariat Metro station nearby will help in bringing in the crowds,’’ the official said.

Meanwhile,the CPWD is carrying out a general improvement of the lawns in this area.

“We have cleaned up the canals. The gardens from Rafi Marg to Janpath are being beautified by planting more flowers. We have also given permission to Delhi Tourism to start boating activity near Krishi Bhawan again. Other plans like starting coffee houses under the fountains in Vijay Chowk are also underway,’’ a CPWD official said.