Boatmen Prepare Naini Lake Fleet for Winter Tourist Rush

Nainital is witnessing a rise in tourist activity now that the rainy season has ended. As visitor numbers grow from October, the boats that offer rides on Naini Lake are being readied for the new season. Boatmen are cleaning, repainting and repairing their vessels to ensure visitors can boat safely.

Rain usually reduces business on Naini Lake. Wooden boats are at risk of rot and cracking during the monsoon. For this reason, boats are brought out of the lake after the rains and given thorough maintenance.

Narendra Singh Chauhan, general secretary of the boat operators' association, spoke about the seasonal cycle. He said boating is affected for roughly three months during the rains. While a few boats continue to run, most of them need careful attention. The new tourist season begins in October, and that is when boats are taken out and prepared.

According to him, workers first remove the dirt and silt that have built up on the boats. The wood is then checked, and any damaged parts are replaced. Cracks are filled with a putty mixed with linseed oil. Once that is done, the boats are varnished and dried in the sun.

Chauhan said the boats are kept out for three to four days after repairs. They are placed back in the water only after they have fully dried and passed inspection. The work is aimed at protecting tourists and keeping the boats in better condition over the long term.

He further explained that Naini Lake boats are expensive to build. A new boat can cost as much as Rs 2.25 lakh. About eight kilograms of copper nails are needed for each boat, and these are procured from Delhi. Since copper costs around Rs 3,000 per kilogram, the cost of construction goes up. He noted that expenses may differ depending on the size of the boat and the materials required.

Repairs and safety checks must be completed before the tourist season opens, so that visitors to Naini Lake can enjoy their rides securely.