Telangana government to introduce boating, other water sport activities at Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad

The Mir Alam tank is being developed on lines of Hussain Sagar in the city. The State government in the last few years had introduced several new water recreational activities at Hussain Sagar

Hyderabad: Demands for introducing latest boating and water sports activities at Mir Alam Tank abutting the Nehru Zoological Park is gaining momentum with the State government taking up beautification works at the water body.

The Mir Alam tank is being developed on lines of Hussain Sagar in the city. The State government in the last few years had introduced several new water recreational activities at Hussain Sagar.

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At the Mir Alam Tank, a lone 20 seater mechanised boats operates for the visitors and only a handful of visitors to the Nehru Zoological Park are actually aware of the leisure activity as only five signboards direct towards to boating facility.

The entrance to boating point is located from a remote corner of the zoo park. The mechanized boat operates from 10 am to 5 pm every day and on Monday’s it is closed coinciding with the zoo holiday.

“In the first place, people are not aware of the boating facility at Mir Alam and no efforts were made to publicize or promote it properly. Only a few people who regularly visit the zoo park know about it and not all would walk the distance to the boating point from the main zoo thoroughfare,” said Shehzad Khan, a school teacher from Bahadurpura.

People feel the spot holds a lot of importance because of its proximity to zoo park where thousands of people visit on regular days and numbers swell on weekends.

“Domestic and international tourist visit the zoo park regularly. If the boating facilities are improved it will showcase the State tourism in a positive way,” said another visitor.

A speed boat allotted to the Mir Alam lies defunct since its engine developed snag long ago. When contacted, an official of tourism department said Mir Alam Tank is filled with water hyacinth for four to five months a year and during that period the boating facility is completely stopped.

“We will send a team and do inspection to see what all new facilities can be introduced at the place,” said the official.