Gobind Sagar Lake Project Stalled for Four Years, Tourism and Water Sports Plan Fails to Materialize
Gobind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh—Asia’s largest man-made lake alongside the Keeratpur-Manali four-lane highway—has yet to be fully developed for tourism. The lake remains filled for only two to three months a year and dries up during summers.
Tourists face difficulty accessing the lake as there is no direct road or signage on the four-lane highway. To address these issues, a ₹1,500 crore revival project was launched in 2022 by the previous BJP government.
The project had three phases:
- Lifting the historical temples in the middle of the lake at Mandi-Bharadi (₹105 crore).
- Building four boat ghats, walkways, connecting roads, parking, water, electricity, and waste management.
- Constructing a check dam under the bridge to enable year-round water sports activities.
However, after the state government changed in 2023, the project stalled. Even after four years, due to central and state government inaction, the project has not materialized, affecting local tourism and employment.
Nirmala Rajput, Founder of Gobind Sagar Adventure and Water Sports Association, said locals had high hopes for the project, but summer drying prevents water sports activities. Jitendra Chandel, Chairman, and Ishan Akhtar, State Secretary, also expressed concerns over the project’s halt.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had inaugurated water sports activities in Mandi-Bharadi on October 29, 2024, but the plan could not be fully implemented.
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