A scenic getaway beckons one & all

Vikarabad: For Ruhaan, Amaan, Mahin and Ananth, the ongoing TSRTC strike came as a blessing. The cousins made the most of the extended holiday at Kotepally reservoir, indulging in kayaking. Like them, hundreds from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are heading to Kotepally on weekends and holidays.

Unknown for long, the Kotepally reservoir, located close to Dharur village in Vikarabad district, has now caught the imagination of people as a clean picnic spot and for kayaking. The brainchild of former Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy who introduced kayaking with an intention to provide employment to rural youth, the activity has not only provided a much-needed getaway for people but has also provided employment to youth in and around Kotepally.

Started in 2015, kayaking at Kotepally has become popular especially among the employees in the corporate sector and among the youth. During the season which starts in August and continues till January, the influx of tourists is huge. At times, the number touches 10,000 a day, says Mallesh, 24, a lifeguard at the reservoir.

Nawaz, 27, another lifeguard, says, "Now people from other states too are coming here. Many photography enthusiasts too find this place ideal." M Vishnu, who works as a senior executive engineer at the Bengaluru Airport said, "We enjoyed ourselves, the place is close to Hyderabad and is clean."

"It is a perfect spot for people who love being in water and the added attraction is the walks that one can take in the forest nearby," says Ashwin, a tourist. Vishweshwar Reddy says, "The intention of starting kayaking was to stop the youth from migrating to cities.

Also, we insist they leave the job after two years so that others get a chance." There are also a few women lifeguards. Anitha, 26, of Gangaram village, 3 km from Kotepally, has been working for two years. She says, "The money I earn here is useful to pay school fee and daily expenses. Also, we work for just 10-12 days a month so we have a lot of time to complete other work."

In the case of Nawaz, he says, "I had a debt of Rs 1 lakh which I could clear only due to this work." The beggars in the area are asked to pick up garbage and are paid Rs 100 per day on the condition that they do not ask for money from tourists, says Vishweshwar Reddy. The place bustles with life as there are close to a dozen tea and food stalls that add colour to the environs.