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Facelift: Line Tank Talab in Ranchi on Tuesday. Picture by Prashant Mitra
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A decked-up Line Tank Talab, complete with blossoms, grass, pathway, decorative lights and grille, is expected to greet visitors in a few months.
Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) is bullish about completing the project before the rains set in and fill up all water bodies after the urban development department released an additional Rs 81 lakh in mid-March so that beautification work could be over at the earliest.
“I issued orders to the engineers yesterday (Monday) to take up the remaining beautification work of Line Tank Talab and complete the same as soon as possible,” RRDA vice-chairman-cum-deputy commissioner of Ranchi K.K. Soan told The Telegraph.
The state capital boasted more than 100 ponds over three decades ago, but many of them were levelled and only a few like Ranchi Lake, Bhutaha Talab, Chutia Talab and Line Tank Talab survived.
In 2008, RRDA received Rs 1.6 crore to beautify Line Tank Talab located in the heart of the city. The agency used the money to take up dredging work and dig nearly two metres deeper, set up a structure in the middle to host a fountain, install two bore wells and erect a boundary wall. A concrete side wall with steps to go down into the pond was also added.
The idea was to develop the pond into a sort of tourist spot that can be frequented by not only residents of the city, but also people from other places. However, the sum was not sufficient for taking up other works like creating a grassy pathway around the pond, setting up gates, building guard rooms and office room besides installing decorative lights. Consequently, last November, RRDA vice-chairman sought additional funds from the state government to complete the project.
“A majority of work has been completed. Now that we have got the money, the remaining jobs will be completed within the next two months,” said RRDA engineer Braj Bihari.
Line Tank Talab, where the water level is more than 10 feet that is expected to rise during monsoon, also draws devotees during Chhath.
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