Hyacinths cover a part of Dighalipukhuri. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Nov. 29: The beautification of the Dighalipukhuri has been thrown out of gear with water hyacinths and other aquatic plants from the nearby fish pond flowing into it and blocking the cleanliness drive.

The Assam Tourism Development Corporation has been entrusted with the task of completing the renovation of the historical Dighalipukhuri.

The beautification is being done under the development of Dighalipukhuri project, which includes gardens and pathways on the three sides of the pond and putting proper lighting arrangements.

Official sources in the tourism development corporation said the fishery located beside the Dighalipukhuri has become a threat to the tank because the hyacinths and other water plants flow into the pond. ?We are trying to keep the pond clean for visitors, but the hyacinths from the fishery is causing lot of trouble,? a source said.

The office of the chief executive officer of fisheries and farm agency is located on the other end of the pond.

He said the water hyacinths were not a pretty sight and they were major hurdles to recreational activities like boating that the tourism department is promoting in a big way.

The officials had complained to the fishery department to clear the hyacinths and construct a wall demarcating the two ponds.

The corporation could construct pathways on the three sides of the rectangular pond because one side has been taken over by the fishery. ?It is difficult for us to keep the pond clean and beautify it because of the fishery. We need a boundary wall,? a source said.

The corporation has already started construction of a safety girding around the pond to make it safe for the people to walk on the pathways.

Fishery department officer Hiten Duorah said they clean up the fishery regularly to get rid of the water plants. ?We maintain the fishery well and there is no reason why the Dighalipukhuri will be affected by the fishery,? he said.

Duorah said the fishery department and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation cleans the Dighalipukhuri using lime-water and helps the tourism development corporation in maintaining cleanliness in and around the pond.

The department breeds fishes in the fishery alongside the Dighalipukhuri and keeps the fries there till they mature. After that, they are taken to the Ulubari breeding centre, Duorah said.