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Bhubaneswar, April 4: A pond called Bada Pokhari in the Jagamara area is in urgent need of repair and renovation. The pond has been serving the water related needs of around 15,000 people,
The water gets polluted with all kinds of rubbish including polythene, packing materials and puja offerings being dumped into it. With desiltation of the pond not having taken place for a long time, the water level has also gone down. Six years ago the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) undertook the responsibility of desilting Bada Pokhari by using manual labour.
“Now, there are many options like using excavators. Also, people must stop dumping waste into the pond,” said a local resident.
Rabinarayan Rath, a priest, said: “The people of Nayapalli in ward No. 25 have shown a nice example in renovating the temple pond of Lord Balunkeswar in their locality. Likewise, we can renovate the pond here, which earlier used to have five ghats. Many ghats have now become defunct or damaged and they need repair. Also, for the womenfolk there should be a special enclosure so that they feel comfortable while taking bath on religious occasions.”
The population of Jagamara is around 2,000 but with many housing colonies coming up the people staying in these areas depend on the only pond for their needs.
“Now, the water has become so polluted that after taking a bath here we take another bath at home. Urgent renovation is needed to ensure quality water,” added Rath.
Councillor of ward No. 29 Runu Jena said she had already sent a proposal for renovation of the pond to the BMC and a plan of Rs 37.47 lakh has been prepared for the renovation plan for which the funds will come through the additional central assistance scheme.
“The renovation plan will concentrate more on strengthening the existing retaining walls, construction of new ghats and special enclosure for women. The entire bed of the pond will be excavated during the renovation process so that the water level rises and the water quality improves. We are also hoping to introduce a special enclosure for the public to throw religious offerings so that they will not pollute the pond water,” she added.
Jena added: “We are also planning to educate the locals not to throw waste into the pond water, which ultimately pollutes the waterbody.”
