It feels like a carnival at Vaalankulam, one of the eight lakes fed by the river Noyyal, the city’s lifeline. The water body, spanning 64.75 hectares and supported by abundant greenery, is now a buzzing recreation spot as the Coimbatore Corporation in a joint venture with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has introduced boating here.
Children are thrilled as they put on their life jackets and take a stroll along the jetty eyeing the swan-shaped paddle boats. College students hop out of cars to the ticket counter after the mandatory selfies with the lake as the backdrop. There are pedal boats, rowing and cycling boats, and motor boats to choose from for a 30-minute sail through the lake soaking up the green views as a cool breeze washes over.
