The way to Wards lake through the wooden bridge near the lake becomes dead as soon as the sun finally sets and then comes the time when the young hearts from different localities assemble in the area for a little ‘road-side party’.
A quiet walk through the area in the dim ‘shadowy’ evening light reveals the young merrymakers huddling in groups with bottles of their joyous drinks to chill out in the late evening party.
Residents from the area say that the boys continue to hover around the area till late at night until they regain a sense of control over themselves. What is more frightening is the fact that the area is completely dark without the presence of even a single street light which makes it more comfortable for the night visitors to indulge in all kind of ‘self destructing’ edibles without being noticed by any one. This is not enough as visitors to the area also complain that the long wooden bridge next to the Wards Lake becomes a lovers’ point soon after the sun sets to make way for the ‘romantic’ moonlight. “I don’t think any girl would feel secure in the area considering the acts happening during night hours” some visitors said. It may be mentioned that the street lights are illuminated till City Hut Dhaba and after the restaurant there is complete darkness thanks to the ignored need of having lights to illuminate the lane. Visitors also observe that the stretch must be scanned often to ensure that it does not become a den for all the illegal activities.
It may be recalled that even the Botanical garden situated just next to Wards Lake was once a den for trying intoxicants. Though the main gate of the garden remains closed at all times, the addicts desperate for a little relaxation from the pains of life often find their way in to enjoy some smoky moments in the arms of nature. It is about time that the nooks and corners of the city are flushed clean of this menace. (By Aafaque Hussain)
