Reminiscing the Kankaria Lake of yore

Kankaria Lake or Hauz-e-Kutub was created by Sultan Kutubuddin. The lake received much fame and glory and was a favourite with Mughal Emperor Jahangir when he needed respite from the hot weather. It is believed that he granted trade permission to Sir Tomas Roe on nauka viharas here.

Centuries later when Sardar Patel was mayor of the city municipality, Kankaria Lake had partially dried out and stank of dead fish. Patel initiated a facelift and a mass cleaning drive ensued. Apart from a stepped waterfront, the lake had intricate sluice structure to control and filter water.  That 34-sided polygonal lake of two and a quarter kilometre circumference was a favourite hangout for families and friends. Not only the waterfront, but the spontaneous line-up of speciality food and other entertainment kiosks established Kankaria as a civic node.

It attracted people of all age from all economic backgrounds looking for recreation. It was then perhaps the only destination where one could take guests to. Every couple in the city must have spent numerous evenings at the lakefront during their courtship, as it was the most enjoyable and affordable place with no 'purchasing' obligations so that you could while around. Unlike a restaurant, it had no compulsion to spend on food and drinks to be at the place. It had variety and speciality of its own. Paanipuri, bhel, and cholafali and other local savouries along with sandwiches, vadapao, pav bhaji and pizzas as adopted specialities were sold in kiosks along the road. They were the highlights of the space rather than formal air-conditioned restaurants. With undue overheads curtailed, products were affordable to most. Economical with variety made Kankaria a favourite destination with couples and families alike.

Horse riding was a popular fun activity among kids visiting Kankaria. It was also livelihood to 40 families. For mere Rs2, the entire periphery of the lake could be skirted on the horse. Not only did this sum support families, but it also provided the special experience of a true ride with animals, swishing tails and spontaneity all inclusive.

All this reminds us that Kankaria Lake was never dead or underdeveloped. It was vital and intense with activity, in fact one the most plural spaces in the city. Current development along the waterfront has done well to pull out all vehicular traffic from the edge and has claimed right of way for pedestrians. However, with that development, it has perhaps thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

Paved monotonous surface treatment over reclaimed roads, strange lack of shade along the edge in multiple concentric circles, low density of vegetation and most importantly, erasing of the informal sector has led to lack of spontaneity, humaneness and thereby, a staleness of the kind. Bottled water for Rs15 each does not measure up to water parabs. Ice-cream parlours do not recreate matka-kulfi variations. The much-hyped, 25-rupee train ride circumventing a distant periphery is no match for swishing-tail horse rides. Even the Balvatika and the Kankaria zoo are being ticketed now. Corporation chose to cash in on this action, in the guise of development.

It is highly undemocratic to charge city-folk for public spaces, which were created incurring Rs30 crore of taxpayers' money. If such public spaces are charged, where are the taxes contributing?

It is not affordability but infringement on right to claim. It is not the exclusivity but loss of plurality. And it is not style but banality of issue of development model and approach. Laser lights and paid attractions in the name of development models are ridding Kankaria as being a people-centric, plural and interactive avenue.