BALANGIR: Residents of the town under the banner of Karanga Kataa Suraksha Samiti have demanded the renovation of traditional water bodies.
Balangir, which was known as the town of ponds not long ago, now faces acute water scarcity, thanks to the State Government’s neglect of the water harvesting structures that once catered to people’s needs round-the-year.
The town has a glorious past of having traditional water bodies which were called Bandh, Sagar, Kataa and Chahalaa. But over the years, as the town expanded and its population increased, the water bodies were exploited for all purposes leading to their pollution. Karanga Kataa, one of the oldest ponds of the town, is on the verge of death due to lack of maintenance. Even several parts of the pond have been encroached by unscrupulous people while Balangir Municipality shows no interest for its renovation. Though there was a provision of police vigil to protect the pond from misuse of water, later it was stopped.
Similarly, Laxmizor Dam, Maharani Sagar, Pratap Sagar, Ranibandh, Karanga Kataa, Narsingh Bandh, Geet Sarobar and Ghikundi pond served as lifeline for people of the town. Now, water from none of the ponds is suitable for human use, they alleged.
Meanwhile, several parts of the town including Tikrapara, Malpara, Rameswar Nagar, Talpalipara, Radharanipara, College Chowk, Shantipara, Sudpara, Railway Station Road and Mahalaxmi Nagar have been affected by water scarcity.
Executive Officer of Balangir Municipality Basudev Satpathy said though the civic body had sanctioned fund for renovation of water bodies last year, it was found insufficient. Steps are being taken to arrange funds for revival of ponds in the town, he added.