Angling in the steel city is all set to resume next week after it was suspended for over a year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The activity will resume at Beldih lake (near Dhatkidih) and Bara lake (near Sidhgora).

The aquatic population at all the lakes had ample time to grow since angling was suspended. The Catlas at the lakes weigh between 40-50 kg. Ruis and mirgals weigh around 35-40 kg.

The Jamshedpur Angling Club (JAC) has requested Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited (TSUISL) to give permission for resuming the activity. The company is the custodian of city lakes.

"The company had asked us to submit a letter for granting permission. We have already submitted the same. We are sure to get the necessary nod for resuming angling from next week," said JAC general secretary Sukumar Ghoshal.

According to him, angling would resume at Beldih and Bara lakes only as Jayanti Sarovar in Jubilee Park will still remain out of bounds. "It's good that angling is going to resume at other water bodies at least. The members were very keen about it," Ghoshal added.

He said the Club would celebrate Bharat Ratna JRD Tata's birth anniversary on July 29 in a symbolic manner. "We host an annual angling competition to mark the occasion. However, we won't conduct the competition this year too. We'll celebrate the day by garlanding the photo of the great man near the Beldih lake," Ghoshal said.

The angling competition, which witnesses participants from Calcutta, Kharagpur and Bhubaneswar among other cities, was a non-starter last year due to the pandemic. Jayanti Sarovar is the usual venue for the competition.

Though the landmark Jubilee Park has re-opened for morning and evening walkers but TSIUSL has still kept the Jayanti Sarovar out of bounds for anglers. It is not clear when JAC would be permitted to use it for angling.

"I am looking forward to testing my patience at Beldih lake. Very happy that angling will resume next week. Fish stock is very impressive. Hope I'll be able to net a big one," said Md. Sarfaraz, a Club member.

Other members also expressed happiness more so because of fish stock at both Beldih and Bara lakes. Most of them have already kept their fishing rods ready and would also prepare the bait in a day or two.