Moving by foot around the only rowing channel (2.2 km long, 150m wide) of the nation in Pune is an exhilarating experience which one must have.
As you reach the small hillock on which the words ‘ARN CERA Welcome’ are written with stones polished with lime you are reminded of the ‘Garnet Hill’ at ‘Pangongso Lake’ in Ladakh. It does not refer to Cera glasses but ‘Army Rowing Node and Corps of Engineers Rowing Association’. The spectacular view of the rowing channel makes you say--- Wow! while refreshing your eyes at its first sight.
Descending towards the direction of lower lake an observation tower at the mid width of the channel is encountered before reaching its south east corner. A beautiful single lane bituminous rd constructed recently with 61 street lights bowing their heads awaits to be explored for a straight stretch of 2.2 km akin to a taxi track alongside a runway.
Bold markings in denominations of 250 m and its multiples in ascending order can be noticed on the right bank indicating the distance you have to cover as you start from zero. After you reach the first 250m mark the next one at 500m beckons you. Cool wind gives a chill to your body while you watch the dawn at the far end of the east west aligned channel. Walking facing the sun against the wind appears to be a never ending distance. Looking back from the 500m mark gives a little relief that some distance has been covered.
Being late evening the scull boat can hardly be seen as are already packed up. Ducks, cormorants, storks, cranes and some herons divert the attention by their low flying on the water surface to pick up their last minute hunt from close quarters. The shiny black Cormorant can be observed with its head protruded out of water for taking a breathe before taking a long underwater dip for its catch who pops out again after a few seconds from nowhere.
The lonely road has very few walkers after the 1000m mark. The tall multi-storeyed bldgs indicate the CME boundary. An aircraft proceeding west (Mumbai) passes over you during your long stroll. The rectangular channel which is nearly of the same size of an airfield forces the pilot to think it as a landing ground for which he has to be careful. However he knows for sure that it would definitely prove helpful in case of an emergency landing.
On reaching the 2000m mark the streaks of sunshine reflecting on the water surface starts getting dimmer but a huge stadium, like a half cut Large Hadron Collider at Geneva impresses your eyes. An eagle’s eye view can be had from the top of the tower adjacent to it. Turning right towards the north after a few metres covers the width of the channel at the other end again. Two huge sheds storing the scull boats and its accessories can be noticed on to the left. While crossing the width and looking at the long channel towards your start point in the east force out the following words from your mouth,
“Oh my God we have come this far!”
Being late evening the scull boat can hardly be seen as are already packed up. Ducks, cormorants, storks, cranes and some herons divert the attention by their low flying on the water surface to pick up their last minute hunt from close quarters. The shiny black Cormorant can be observed with its head protruded out of water for taking a breathe before taking a long underwater dip for its catch who pops out again after a few seconds from nowhere.
The lonely road has very few walkers after the 1000m mark. The tall multi-storeyed bldgs indicate the CME boundary. An aircraft proceeding west (Mumbai) passes over you during your long stroll. The rectangular channel which is nearly of the same size of an airfield forces the pilot to think it as a landing ground for which he has to be careful. However he knows for sure that it would definitely prove helpful in case of an emergency landing.
On reaching the 2000m mark the streaks of sunshine reflecting on the water surface starts getting dimmer but a huge stadium, like a half cut Large Hadron Collider at Geneva impresses your eyes. An eagle’s eye view can be had from the top of the tower adjacent to it. Turning right towards the north after a few metres covers the width of the channel at the other end again. Two huge sheds storing the scull boats and its accessories can be noticed on to the left. While crossing the width and looking at the long channel towards your start point in the east force out the following words from your mouth,
“Oh my God we have come this far!”
After crossing the colourful bldg (gym and office) ends the pacca rd for a well rammed kutcha road to begin. Crossing the markings, now in descending order gives a sense of satisfaction. Its more fun walking on this track than the bituminous one as tiredness is not felt due to the double cushion effect ; of the addidas shoes plus the soft soil of mother earth. In addition the wind gives a push to wee off your tiredness.
The huge flocks of ducks and cormorants returning home towards the west in arrowhead formation decorates the sky. The crows in position on the trees do their caw! caw ! wishing you best of return journey.
The village dogs relaxing in the meadows stare at you with concern being the area commanders of their region but do not bark to maintain the quiet atmosphere.
The ankles give a sweet pain of tiredness after getting twisted at depressed patches; courtesy the depression marks made by the tyre treads of tractors. Cool air sweeps the back of the neck. Thousands of ripples in water do not let you feel lonely as they accompany you silently till the end.
The flocks of birds moving west start to disappear as the darkness creeps in .The silhouette of trees start appearing on the skyline. The beautiful meadows on the left lure to spend the night with them. The cattle peacefully chewing their cuds gaze at you undisturbed. There is quietness in the air except chirping sound of birds and the water waves splashing on the rocky shores.
Reaching the 1000m mark increases the walking speed to cross the foul smelling zone of sewage plant converting the sewage into water before pouring it into the channel. From 500m onwards the left view gets blocked due to the bund thus focussing the attention on the water surface where the water waves have enlarged as their crest size adds up mathematically until it finally splashes on the small rocks at the end giving a perfect feeling of waves terminating on the sea beach with sound effects.
A last glimpse can be had after climbing the ‘Welcome hillock’, the top of which is like a small helipad. The red steps leading to it after a short climb make you feel on the top of the world. The fast wind blowing cools you by evaporating your sweat and at the same time does not allow any mosquito to camp in there. All the lakes ---upper, middle and the lower incl the complete rowing channel are visible from here--- a perfect place for photography.
It gets dark and is time to move back after taking a descending spiral turn towards the right to reach the old Nasik rd once again.
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