Sukhna’s serenity meets civic snags

Chandigarh: Sukhna Lake, one of the most iconic destinations that lends Chandigarh its distinct identity, continues to draw residents and visitors alike. Whether it is relatives visiting from other states, friends arriving from abroad, or locals seeking an evening breather or morning walk, the lake remains a top choice on every itinerary.However, frequent visitors say the experience is increasingly being marred by poor infrastructure and maintenance issues, particularly at the paid parking facility.Sachpreet Kaur, a resident of Sector 45, expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the parking area. "The lake parking is in a bad condition. It is full of potholes and dust, and becomes worse when it rains," she said.Senior citizens, in particular, are facing difficulties due to the uneven surface. Gurpreet Singh, a Chandigarh resident who has been visiting the lake since childhood, said the situation has become discouraging. "It is now a nightmare to park my vehicle and walk to the lake. During peak hours, the entry gets jammed, and with the nearly absent road, I have to be extremely cautious. I often think twice before coming here by car," he said.Apart from parking concerns, issues related to basic amenities have also been flagged. Jagdeep Mahajan, a daily walker and RWA president of Sectors 32 and 33, pointed out the poor condition of the washroom facility at the entry point. "Almost all the taps in the washroom needed repair. There are constant leakages, and immediate action is required to prevent wastage of water," he said. After weeks of no repair, he flagged the issue with the UT chief engineer. UT Chief engineer C B Ojha said the said public toilet comes under CITCO, but since the issue was flagged with the engineering department, the issue stands resolved. However, regular walkers complain that the issue still persists even though there have been attempts to resolve them. SE B&R Dharminder Sharma said the restoration work of road cuts in MC lake parking is expected to start this week. Visitors say while Sukhna Lake symbolizes conservation and a connection with nature, the civic authorities must address these issues promptly to maintain its charm and accessibility.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.