A trickle of tourists visited the Topchanchi Lake on Sunday from different parts of Dhanbad, as overflowing water and the new facilities at the litchi garden situated on its bank have enhanced the natural beauty of the place.

The ongoing ‘picnic season’ of winter makes the lake, situated about 37 kilometers from Dhanbad, a major attraction.

By the end of the day, sources said , there were around 700 visitors on Sunday.

The litchi garden surrounding Dhanbad's Topchanchi Lake, on Sunday. Picture by Gautam Dey

Talking to The Telegraph Online, Kamraj Prasad, who was at the spot with his family, said, “The hillocks situated all around the lake give it an exclusive look and some structures like the old pavilion add to its ethnicity.”

“I have been a regular visitor of Maithon and visited Topchanchi for the first time today, but can conclude with conviction that the natural beauty here is better than Maithon. Its tourist potential can be further harnessed with the development of facilities like a children playing arena and better accommodation facilities like guest houses,” he added.

Tourists enjoy the day at the Topchanchi Lake near Dhanbad

Talking about accommodation issues near the lake, Prasad said, “Though some provisions are being made in the surrounding areas of the place, more more proactive steps are required to bring it at par with the major tourist places of the country.”

Ajay Kumar Mahato, a roadside vendor in the area said, “The nature and the rains over the past few days have restored the beauty of the lake after a long time and we expect large numbers of tourists this year despite the Covid-19 constraints.”

Manoj Kumar Mahato, the contractor looking after the renovation and beautification work of the lake said they have installed six gazebos at the cost of Rs 12.60 lakhs.

“We have also constructed 30 concrete recliners at Rs 13.50 lakhs in the litchi garden and laid paver blocks all around the park as part of a comprehensive project of around Rs 1 crore of the state building division.”

Newly laid pavement at the Topchanchi Lake near Dhanbad, on Sunday. Picture by Gautam Dey

A contract for the repair work of a stretch of 5.5 kilometer road around the park has been finalised by the Jharkhand Mineral Area Development Authority, under whose jurisdiction the lake falls.

Executive engineer and technical member of the authority, Indresh Shukla said, “We will gradually develop the other facilities around the lake after the completion of the renovation and beautification work of the litchi garden, which is likely to be completed within a week.”

Topchanchi, an artificial lake developed in 1924, is a major tourist attraction as the wildlife sanctuary situated near it also draws a large number of people.

Surrounded by several hilloks, the place was once a favourite shooting spot for filmmakers and actors. Dharmendra, Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar, Mazhar Khan, Girish Karnad and Suchitra Sen have visited the sport for shooting their films.

Migratory birds flock at the Topchanchi Lake near Dhanbad, on Sunday. Picture by Gautam Dey

A large number of migratory birds also visit the place every year. These include the black cormorant, pink duck, black winged stilt, common teal, gadwall, brown headed gull, spoonbill, red crested pochard and common coot.