An eerie silence hangs over the placid waters of the capital city Raipur’s famed Telibandha Lake, except for a handful of impoverished and differently-abled people, lounging under the shade at the bus-shelters that line the picturesque expanse of water.
The lake-side boulevard, known as the “Mini Marine Drive”—which borrows its name from its more renowned moniker in far off Mumbai—is empty.
Popular with city residents and visitors alike, the lake-side promenade is a favourite with joggers, morning-walkers and fitness enthusiasts, and an area that is a hive of activities throughout the day, wears a deserted look.
It has been so for more than a month since the lockout begun on March 15.
Even the crackle and hiss of geese and quakes and the flatter of wings of the snake-birds or the Indian darters—that spear-dive into the water to fish—is missing.
The winged-visitors are at peace, undisturbed by the usual human activities in the vicinity of the lake since the lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Also missing is the cacophony of honking of horns as motorists, desperately tried to negotiate their way through the jumble of haphazardly parked vehicles on either side of the six-lane thoroughfare along the mile-long lake-side Mini Marine Drive.
Gone too are the young couples—most of who are college students, skipping classes—who spend endless hours at the lake front.
The lake-front, situated near the city’s Shyam Nagar neighbourhood, also a popular spot for hosting entertainment events, flash-mobs, zumba sessions, fitness seminars and sporting events, that are usually held every Sunday, is empty.
Even politicians like to hold spot meetings on the lake-side promenade as they get a ready audience.
A free WiFi zone and a foodie’s paradise, and a popular hang-out for the millennial, is visited by a few stray dogs.
“We are missing the Marine Drive, and hope to return there when lockdown is eased,” says Shyam Nagar resident Rajesh Kashyap.
The sentiment is echoed by Shreya Sahu, a college student from Shankar Nagar nighbourhood of the city, who says: “It was our chilling out place with friends. We really miss the place.”
With the number of Covid-19 cases increasing in the city, and an extension of the lockdown looming large over the state, the residents of the capital city are keep their fingers crossed.
Their longing to once again visit the city’s most happening spot, will have to wait until April 14 and even longer if the lockdown is extended.