Dimna Lake, a picnic hotspot, has turned

into a dumping ground for thermocol plates, rotten food and plastic bags, with Jusco finding it difficult to keep the place clean with fewer number of workers.

Sources in Jusco said around 6,000 picnickers had been thronging the lake daily since December 24. Spread across 5km along Dalma foothills, the lake will continue attracting tourists till January 26.

“We have engaged our workers to clean the area, but their number has depleted as more workers are deployed at picnic spots in the city such as Jubilee Park. We also have to keep the city clean in view of the Swachh Survekshan 2020 scheduled this month. The depletion of workforce has led to a delay in cleaning of waste,” a source in the Jusco’s public health department said.

Rupak Paul, who had come with his colleagues to enjoy picnic at Dimna from Asansol in Bengal, said he found the popular spot quite dirty.

“We enjoyed the lake, good roads and Dalma mountains, but a lot needs to be done in terms of cleanliness. More bins should put up,” he said.

Jusco has engaged around 10 cleaners on shift during the picnic season.

A Jusco official blamed the lack of civic discipline among picnickers.

“People should also show some civic sense and stop littering. However, we will see what more can be done to improve cleaning at the spot,” Jusco spokesperson Sukanya Das said.