Kolkata: Following urban development & municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul’s instructions to come up with plans to further develop Rabindra Sarobar as a tourist destination, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is planning to introduce a guided tour programme and reintroduce paddle boating on the lake for visitors. The authorities are also preparing a design to convert a dilapidated building into an archive and are working on the proposal to have a Rs 10 entry fee, with free passes for regular morning walkers.Officials said the idea is to develop the lake as a tourist spot. “This will also help enhance revenue generation,” an official said.Speaking on the planned paddle boat rides, which had been stopped in 2009, an official said all safety and security measures will be ensured before boat rides start. Officials said the authorities have received the go-ahead to set up an archive at an old building which has been renovated. “There was a dilapidated primary school building on the Sarobar premises, which became non-functional in 2009. The building has been renovated and an archive-cum-museum will be set up to display a complete chronological history of the century-old artificial lake sprawling over 192 acre,” an official said.Officials said KMDA will also take up work to rejuvenate the three large islands to protect them from erosion and damage of greenery.The authorities have also initiated the process to introduce the Lake entry ticketing system. Officials said that similar to some other parks and gardens maintained by KMDA, where there is an entry fee of Rs 10, the proposal is to keep the same entry fee for Rabindra Sarobar.“There will be free entry for morning walkers for specific hours. Official procedures are underway to introduce the ticketing system soon,” the official said.
