The Jharpada High School Pokhari tank is under threat of encroachment. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, March 30: Even as the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started work on the revival of the Padma Pokhari in ward No. 40, another pond in the same area near the Jharpada High School lies neglected.

The Jharpada High School pond was used for fish farming earlier.

“The pond has shrunk from all sides and a housing complex in the north is expanding its boundary wall continuously. Due to the expansion, the wall is moving towards the water body every six months, but the civic authorities are not doing anything to restrict the encroachers,” said businessman Sushanta Kumar Nayak, who lives nearby.

Another local resident Rabindra Martha added that while the state government was emphasising on the revival of water bodies across the city to recharge the depleting water table, the civic authorities are yet to stop encroachment of water bodies.

Senior BMC officers confirmed that utilisation of additional central assistance fund for revival of water bodies has already started. More than 18 water bodies would be revived in the city.

“We will look into the allegations of encroachment made by local residents and the councillors of the area as water bodies are now becoming a vital part of the city management,” he added.

On the other hand the Padma Pokhari will undergo total transformation with an investment of Rs 51.11 lakh under the additional central assistance. Under the plan, its bed will be excavated to remove the silt as for the last five decades no cleaning has been carried out in the pond. Apart from desilting, there will be construction of a retaining wall and packing of the pond bed with laterite stones.

“After the excavation is over, the pond bed will be covered with laterite stones as the porous bed will help in recharging the ground water table. The renovation project will also include special ghats for bathing and rituals. The ghat meant for women will also include a changing room,” added councillor, Sridhar Jena.