Chandil dam: Big draw

Ranchi, Aug. 27: The tardy progress in the state government’s tourism projects has prompted the people at Chandil, about 100km from the state capital, to promote their village as getaway.

The villagers have formed a self-help group to promote tourism in the area and to earn a living. The self-help group has already started nauka vihar (boating) in the Chandil dam reservoir for tourists. There are two engine-run boats and six with paddles.

“Tourists have been coming here for long, but our initiative has helped increase their numbers,” said Narayan Gope, secretary of the village self-help group.

While 20 villagers have been given the onus of taking care of nauka vihar at the dam, several stalls have also come up for tourists. The villagers now plan to open a restaurant and build restrooms for tourists. They also plan to make sitting arrangements so that visitors can take a break under the shade of trees.

“We are looking for funds to give concrete shape to our dreams and develop tourism in Chandil village. But we are not interested in taking help from the government because that will be a cumbersome process. It might also stall our plans,” said Shyamal Mardi, a local resident. The villagers, however, want the government to repair the potholed approach road from NH-? to the Chandil dam.

Despite bad roads and poor facilities, the footfall to Chandil village has increased because of the self-help group’s initiatives.