The Chandigarh Administration today decided to open Sukhna Lake to visitors from January 19. But without specifying the time period, the UT officials said the boating facility will remain closed for some time.


The decision comes almost a week after the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory (NISHAD), Bhopal, ruled out contamination of the lake water with the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza or bird flu. The officials said the CITCO’s Lake Cafeteria and the lake promenade will also be opened to the public. 
Now, the lake is safe from all considerations. To mark the occasion of opening of the lake, a special morning walk at 7 am for residents of the tricity and visitors is being organised. All visitors and morning walkers have been invited to join the morning walk where UT Adviser Vijay Dev will declare the lake open. Explaining the delay in opening the lake, the officials said though the report about the water samples testing negative had been received, a time-bound protocol involving sanitisation needed to be followed.

The lake was closed on December 18

After the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases Laboratory tested a dead goose positive for bird flu on December 16, the UT had suspended all activities at Sukhna Lake besides closing down all business establishments, including a restaurant, cafeteria, amusement activities, Lake Club and the Golf Range on December 18 for one month. The all 110-odd domesticated geese were culled under the observation of experts on Dec 18.


Source: The Tribune Chandigarh