Ranchi: Residents of the state capital can now look forward to Chhath rituals in the clean waters of Dhumsa Toli pond near Chutia.

The 50-year-old pond has been renovated and cleaned to ensure Chhath vratis are not inconvenienced while offering morning and evening arghya.

State urban development and housing minister C.P. Singh, along with local MP Ram Tahal Choudhary, Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra, deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargiya and municipal commissioner Shantanu Agrahari, inaugurated the revamped pond on Sunday.

"A 10-feet high boundary wall with three iron gates has been set up around the pond, which is circular in shape with a depth of 14-feet. Stairs have also been constructed. Before its renovation work, a thick layer of mud was removed from its bed," said Manoj Kumar Lal, director of Rama Construction, which has been carrying out the renovation work for the last nine months at a cost of Rs 79 lakh.

Inaugurating the pond in the presence of around 300 local residents, minister Singh said the pond would soon turn out be a famous hangout spot for Ranchi residents.

" I am sure people will soon start visiting the area frequently. I request residents not to turn the pond into a dumping yard like after every festival," said Singh.

Deputy mayor of RMC Sanjeev Vijayvargiya said there were as many as 42 ponds under RMC in the capital and this is the second pond to get renovated in the run-up to Chhath.

"After Argora, this is the second pond to be revamped. Gradually all the ponds will be beautified,"said Vijayvargiya.

Residents are happy with the initiative and looking forward to conduct Chhath rituals on a clean water body.

"The pond is a Chhath gift for local residents. Earlier the pond was littered with garbage and local residents have been demanding for its beautification for a long time. Around 10,000 people are likely to turn up for to carry out Chhath rituals this year," said Sanjay Kumar Nayak, a grocery shop owner.

Another local resident Ranju Nayak said the pond premises would be soon decorated with colourful lights.

"Discussions are on with Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials to decorate the pond surroundings with lights. This will further beautify the pond," said Nayak, a social worker.