BARIPADA: Mayurbhanj Collector Surendra Kumar Meena has asked the Baripada Municipality to take immediate steps for renovation of ponds located under the civic body’s jurisdiction.
At least four water bodies, Hemsagar near Haribaldevjew temple, Jhinjiribandh at Kacheri Market, Tinikunia pond at Station Bazaar and a pond at Purnachandrapur in Ward 15 will be renovated in the first phase. While Baripada Municipality will bear the total expenditure for restoration of the water bodies, the district administration will monitor the execution work.
Sources said the water bodies, including the century-old Hemsagar pond, stand neglected despite several requests by the locals to renovate it. Though the ponds were cleaned at regular intervals, no attention was paid for their maintenance. Due to lack of maintenance, weeds have covered the ponds and garbage is dumped into it by locals and eatery owners located in the area. Not long back, water of Hemsagar was used by the locals for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Today, it has turned into a stinking swamp used for dumping garbage. The famous Chandan Yatra of Haribaldevjew temple is also performed in the heritage pond. It was originally owned by the temple trust but later its management was ent rusted to Endowment department. Development Officer of the Municipality Jatisankar Ray said cleanliness drive has been launched in Hemsagar.