Sambalpur, May 5: Thirteen water bodies in the municipal corporation area will be renovated shortly and the housing and urban development department has already sanctioned Rs 80 lakh for it.

"We will renovate 12 ponds located in the 12 gram panchayat areas and one in Bhatra. We will chalk out a list shortly," said deputy commissioner of Sambalpur municipal corporation, S.S. Bhoi.

A team comprising corporation officials today visited different areas to make a list.

"The selected water bodies will be de-silted. Besides, bathing ghats will also be constructed. Plan is also on to strengthen the embankments of these ponds," said Bhoi.

"We will float a tender after the selection is done," said Bhoi. The water will be made fit for human use.

The decision of the Sambalur Municipal Corporation has been widely welcomed by the residents of the city.

"I am happy that the civic body has taken a decision to renovate the water bodies. There was a time when these were the only source of water for the residents," said Kailash Pradhan, a resident of the area.