With the onset of the winter season, the tourist flow in Maithon Lake sees a good start which in turn has brought cheer in the faces of the boatmen and roadside shopkeepers. The local villagers of Maithon engaged in managing their living through the seasonal income during the winter, however, are keeping their fingers crossed over the possibility of further deterioration of Covid-19 situation which might stimulate further restrictions from the government.

The maximum rush at Maithon, comprising of 15712 feet long and 165 feet high Maithon Dam lying over Barakar river and the Maithon lake spread over 65 square kilometers, along with the millennium park and the famous Kalyaneshwari temple is witnessed during the month of December-January every year.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Tuesday, Vishnu Bauri, a resident of Goghna Village of Maithon, ekes out his living by carrying out boat riding, said, “Though the maximum rush at Maithon is recorded during December-January but the off-season income is also good as many tourists from various parts of the country, particularly from Bengal visits here lean season as well.”

“We are happy that we are witnessing some tourists since last one month which is likely to go up within a week. However the tourist flow is less than 50% compared to last year,” added Bauri who is also a member of the self-help group of over 70 boatmen, Matsya Gandha which operates the boats here.

Tourists enjoying boat ride at the Maithon reservoir in Maithon, Dhanbad on Tuesday. Picture by Gautam Dey

“We pray to God every day to keep the Covid-19 situation under control otherwise it will lead to the tightening of the government norms which in turn will cause a further drop in footfall of tourists,” said Bauri and added that their income during the peak season is around Rs 3,000 - Rs 4,000 per day which dips down to Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 during the lean season (off-season).

Prem Mahto, another boatman of Kalibasti locality of Maithon said, “We had zero income during the first six months of lockdown due to the restrictions and even after the permission very few people visited the tourist places.” He also added that Covid-19 testing for all persons entering into Jharkhand from Bengal at Maithon also deterred tourists from other parts from visiting Maithon.

The boating ghat at the Maithon reservoir (43 km from Dhanbad district headquarter) in Maithon, Dhanbad on Tuesday. Picture by Gautam Dey

“The local visitors of adjoining places even if opt for boating goes for a smaller trip around a nearby island for a fare of Rs 200 per person while only a few opts for the longer trip of all around the lake at Rs 600 per person,” said Mahto and added that their main income depends on outsider visitors.

Similar is the reaction of around 80 shopkeepers selling beverages, fast foods, chats, and pakora.

Talking to The Telegraph Online, Dilip Singh, owner of Lakshmi Chat stall said, “We had faced the worst days of our life during the first six months of lockdown from March 22 to September 22 due to almost negligible footfall but things have slowly started improving. We are also observing all the precautions to not let the situation go out of our hands and request visitors to put on their masks and always follow the social distancing norms.”