BENGALURU: The Cubbon Park will soon have a massive pond and more pathways for walkers and joggers, at the now swampy stretch near the Hudson Circle.
This spot, along Kasturba Road and opposite to Kanteerava Stadium, had been suggested by lake experts about a year ago. It is a low lying area, when compared to Vidhan Soudha and the State Central Library.
The Horticulture Department has been facing heat for neglecting the three lakes in the park. When private parties expressed interest in reviving them, saying two of the three had dried up, the department had not reverted to them for two years. “But we got a mail from them this July asking for a detailed project report,” says Meena Dave of India Cares Foundation.
This current project, however, is a whole new one. In this, the horticulture department has tied up with the Public Works Department to renovate 17 acres undeveloped land into a shady garden and a pond.
An estimated `75 lakh will be spent on the pond – 100 feet long, 65 feet wide and five feet deep. It can hold up to 9 lakh litres of water. And according to the department officials, the pond should be ready in a month.
Mahantesh Murgod, the Deputy Director of the Cubbon Park Horticulture Department, said the work is in progress. “The pond will have two fountains to avoid the stagnation of water and the will be covered by a shady garden,” he said. “In addition to that, most of the damaged pathways will be renovated and every individual park will be fenced.”
When it rains, this unused land turns into a swamp. “Mosquitoes breed here and it is a major problem for the visitors,” said Mahantesh. “The pathways are slippery with the accumulation of rainwater.” “I find it difficult to take this pathway because of the stagnant water,” said a jogger, so he is happy about the plan. But K Umesh, former advocate and the President of Cubbon Park Walkers Association, said the pond was unnecessary.
He said water from the park’s sewage treatment plant could’ve been drained into seven wells, which have been unused, across the same 17 acres.
But he was happy about the other additions. “It is good that the pathway is being renovated, which is essential for the walkers who were troubled by the stagnant rainwater,” he said.