Sambalpur, April 17: Thousands of residents here are facing problems with the polluted water of the Mahanadi at Ayodhya Sarovar.

The irrigation department developed the Ayodhya Sarovar after constructing an anicut on the Mahanadi in the 1960s. The anicut was constructed on the Mahanadi to store water for people to use. A large section of city residents depend on the artificial lake for different purposes, including bathing.

However, the sarovar's water level has reduced drastically, exposing weeds at several places. Moreover, the city also releases sewage into the river at Balibandha area, which pollutes the water.

"Thousands of people bathe in the sarovar. However, the water has really turned dirty, increasing the risk of skin infection and other diseases. The civic body should remove the weeds from the sarovar and clean the water to make it fit for people to use so that the residents, who depend on the artificial lake, find respite," said local resident Santanu Barik.

"The water has become stagnant at Ayodhya Sarovar with the decrease in water level. However, if water from the reservoir is released for some time, the sarovar's dirty water will be washed away and make it cleaner. The municipal corporation should get in touch with authorities of the Hirakud dam for this purpose. City residents will benefit from this move," said another local resident Kartik Singh.

City health officer Mahendra Nanda, however, said: "We will take steps to remove the weeds from the sarovar also clean the water."