Bhubaneswar, May 16: The civic body has taken up restoration of 14 water bodies, including de-weeding and de-silting, to return them to their former state across the city.
"Water bodies are the lifelines of the city. They need to be restored whenever there is development work as they provide a cooling effect on the environment. They also act as a catalyst in restoring the water-based ecosystem. We have revised the cost for few of the ponds and begun their renovation on a war footing," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.
The civic body has raised Rs 16.81 crore from the Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund for the renovation for the entire project.
The water bodies being restored are Nilakantha pond, Masjid pond, Sadhua pond, Maa Ugalmani pond, Gadakana pokhari, Bhotopada tank, Balunkeswar pond, Jena Sahi pokhari, Fishery pond, Kapileswar pond, Jharpokhari, Baghua pond, Badapokhari and Haja pokhari.
Sources said all these ponds would be de-silted and de-weeded. They will also have a retaining wall where land parcels are available, fencing, benches for visitors and lighting arrangement to provide a recreational space to localities around the local water bodies.
"We plan to construct a wastewater diversion drain at Haja pokhari. It will have a parikrama or walkway. We will try to give it a park-like look with a retaining wall to prevent damage to the pond area," said city engineer Dwaipayan Pattanaik.
He said there were plans to construct two hybrid toilets, provide adequate lighting, an approach road from the nearby main road and parking facility at the location.
According to Pattanaik, the Sundarpada-Jatni Road and adjoining areas have already seen rapid growth in housing and population had increased manifold and the renovation, landscaping and beautification of Haja pokhari would provide a good option for recreation for people living in the area.
Another important water body on other side of the city, Fisheries pond in Lakashmi Sagar, has an important history of fisheries development. It will be renovated for Rs 6.69 crore and will have similar facilities like the ones at Haja pokhari. However, it will have only one hybrid toilet.
At present, renovation of Maa Ugalmani pond and Bhotapada tank have already been completed, while it is in progress for 11 other water bodies. In the case of Baghua pond, the executing agency has completed dewatering it and sources said it would be renovated by the end of May.
"Water bodies are important for the city. They ensure sustainability in the environment. We will have quality atmosphere near the water bodies during early morning and evening after the renovation. It is a good initiative and I hope the work is finished shortly," said Hemanta Panda, a resident of Lakshmi Sagar.
Sources said 95 per cent work on the Nilakantha pond in Patia and 80 per cent for the Jena Sahi pokhari in Jharpada was done.
The progress on Balunkeswar tank in Nayapalli is at 70 per cent, while Masjid pokhari in Haridaspur and Sadhua pond in Pahala have already undergone 60 per cent renovation each.
