The pond on the Jagannath temple premises in Rourkela. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Sept. 25: A pond on the premises of Jagannath temple at Sector-III here has been lying in poor condition for the past four years due to faulty construction and lack of maintenance.

But, authorities said the state tourism department had been renovating the pond for the past four years as part of its scheme to improve tourism facilities at the temple.

A temple trust member said they had complained about the matter to the district administration, but no action has been taken. The district administration authorities told them that it was the project of the state tourism department, which must have completed it. Local tourism officer said he would look into the matter.

Temple trust member Girija Dwivedi said the project started in January 2009 with the then tourism and culture minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, laying the foundation stone for the pond’s renovation. Under the project, the pond was to be excavated and stairs were to be constructed on all sides, so that devotees could wash their feet. During chandan yatra, visitors come to the temple when the idols are taken on a boat ride in the pond. The state government had undertaken the project at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh.

“The pond was partially renovated. But, due to faulty design and construction, it got damaged within a few days. There was no outlet for its water to be drained out and fresh water to enter inside. It was not cleaned regularly and people throw garbage in the pond,” said Dwivedi, adding that it had now turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

As water remains stagnant and polluted, people do not use it. “There is a need for a borewell to fill water into the pond regularly,” said a local resident.

The temple is around 150 years old. After the Rourkela Steel Plant came up in the 50s, the temple as well as the pond got renovated. Another temple trust member said nearly 700 devotees visited the temple everyday and the number went up to 3,000 during festivals. During rath yatra, a large number of people congregate here.

“We have informed the district collector and the additional district magistrate, who all are members of the trust. But, nothing has changed yet,” he said.

Additional district magistrate R.N. Mishra said the pond’s renovation was the tourism department’s duty.

However, Sambalpur tourism officer Rabindra Dalei said he was unaware of the project as he joined one month ago. “We will look into the matter and give the government a proposal about it. Hope the work will be undertaken shortly,” said Dalei.