Jaipur, June 22: Ajmer took a significant step toward strengthening its tourism infrastructure as Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani laid the foundation stone for the beautification of Chaurasiyawas Lake at a cost of ₹5.13 crore on Monday. The project marked a new chapter in the city’s tourism development and was expected to create fresh opportunities for visitors and local businesses alike.
Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, Mr. Devnani said the picturesque lake was poised to emerge as a major tourist attraction in the near future. He noted that Ajmer had been steadily transforming into a prominent tourism destination, with several new attractions for domestic and international visitors being developed at a rapid pace.
He stated that the Chaurasiyawas Lake project would completely revamp the waterbody, featuring a modern pathway, landscaped gardens, extensive plantation drives, decorative lighting, and the removal of all encroachments from the lake’s catchment area.
Highlighting the city’s growing tourism infrastructure, Mr. Devnani said that the historic Ana Sagar Lake had already been enhanced with an 8.5-kilometre-long pathway, a waterfront promenade, boating facilities, and recreational spaces, significantly improving the visitor experience.
He further informed that a pathway around Varun Sagar Lake was also under development along with a large public park. The project included plans for a towering statue of Varun Dev and an aesthetically designed ghat, enabling both residents and tourists to spend extended leisure time at the site.
The Assembly Speaker also highlighted the state government’s ambitious plans for the development of Taragarh Fort. He said that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, nearly ₹20 crore had been earmarked for the restoration and development of the historic fort associated with Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan. The project was expected to offer panoramic views of the city from the hilltop and further strengthen Ajmer’s heritage tourism appeal.
Mr. Devnani added that a proposed leopard safari would be developed as a major eco-tourism attraction, allowing visitors to experience wildlife, including leopards, deer, and other native species, while also showcasing symbols and historical remnants linked to the era of Prithviraj Chauhan.
He said that several major civic projects—including a new science park, a large stadium, and a modern convention centre—would further accelerate the city’s holistic development. Beautification work along the city’s main entrance corridor up to Ambedkar Circle was also progressing rapidly.
According to him, the expansion of tourism-related infrastructure would generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, hotels, resorts, transport services, food businesses, and retail trade. The initiatives were expected to open new avenues of employment for local youth and mark the beginning of a transformed and modernized Ajmer.
The Chaurasiyawas Lake beautification project included the construction of pathways, restoration of the embankment, development of drainage channels, parking facilities, retaining walls, chain-link fencing, extensive plantation drives, and the installation of decorative lighting poles. Officials stated that repairs to the lake’s waste weir would enhance its water-holding capacity, leading to improved groundwater recharge and a rise in the surrounding water table.
