Balangir, Nov. 20: Karangakata — the largest water body in town after Maharani Sagar — which was once a source of drinking water for the residents of this town, is now in a sorry state.
Though more than Rs 1 crore has been spent on its renovation over the past few years, the water of the tank is not even suitable for bathing. The water of the tank is highly contaminated and polluted, allege local people. There is also a thick green cover of aquatic plants and algae on the water.
Local people have raised their voice time and again for the tank’s renovation, but to no avail.
In 2006, the then works minister A.U. Singhdeo had began a beautification drive of the tank with funds from the public works department (PWD) and the local area development fund of some Rajya Sabha MPs. A boat club was inaugurated by the minister for boating in the tank. But, neither did the beautification take place, nor did the boat club start functioning.
The PWD department had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for renovation and beautification of the tank in 2006. Again, in 2011, the department of minor irrigation granted Rs 25 lakh for its renovation.
Balangir MP Kalikesh Singdeo has also sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for the renovation of the tank while the municipality has sent a proposal of Rs 30 lakh to the urban development department for the same purpose.
Despite spending so much money, the tank still remains in a sorry state. The water is as polluted as ever and the water sprinklers and four motorboats purchased for the boat club are only gathering dust lying unused. About 2,000 people of localities such as Brahminpada, Barpalipada, Hatpadapada and Durga Mandap depend on this tank.
Ashok Tripathy, a local resident, said that departments entrusted with the work often started the work late or just before the monsoon.
“As monsoon signals the end of any work, the authorities are forced stop the work midway and grab a major share of the fund,” he said.
Executive officer of Balangir Municipality Santosh Behera admitted the problem. “We have sought funds from the state urban development department for its renovation,” Behera said.
