BHOPAL: Tourists craving to relish rides on the Shikara boats, but finding the iconic Dal Lake in Kashmir or backwaters of Kerala too far, now have the option to enjoy the same ride in the heart of India – Madhya Pradesh.

With a 20-strong fleet of Shikaras, the Shikara Boat service was launched in the Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal’s Upper Lake on Thursday.

The 20 Shikaras, which were launched by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, are equipped with food and comfortable seating arrangements for visitors, and are expected to give Madhya Pradesh’s water tourism a new identity at the national and international level.

While urging tourists from across the country and residents of Bhopal and the state to enjoy the Shikara Boat service, the CM said that the Madhya Pradesh Tourism is expanding water-sports activities and that tourists will also be able to purchase indigenous products while enjoying the shikara rides.

The CM and other dignitaries enjoyed tea, poha, samosas and fruits from the shikara boat restaurant. The CM also purchased traditional Bag & Batik textiles and organic products from the floating boat market.

This is for the first time in Madhya Pradesh that Shikaras are being operated on such a large scale.

All the 20 Shikaras which were launched on Thursday, have been built using pollution-free, modern technology. They are built from fibre-reinforced polyurethane and high-quality non-reactive materials that do not cause any chemical reaction with water, ensuring the complete safety of the lake’s ecology and water purity.