Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 7: Heaps of garbage narrates the sorry state of affairs of an old pond in Pithapur area of the millennium city.
Dharmadatta pond is one of the major ponds in the city and is spread over an acre of land opposite Madan Mohan temple in Pithapur area in the city. However, the pond has come to reflect the official apathy of the civic authorities due to the utter neglect that it finds itself in. For several years, the pond has been used as a garbage dumping yard, particularly by hotels around the pond. As a result, the pond has become a highly- polluted cesspool emanating an unbearable stench. Residents say it is high time the pond was restored to its previous glory.
Residents of Pithapur alleged that despite repeated complaints the municipal authorities are yet to renovate the pond. “No steps have been taken to look after its maintenance. People were also not restricted from throwing trash into it, said Bijoy Mishra, a local. People have been demanding renovation of the pond and construction of a boundary wall around it for a long time.
“The unhygienic atmosphere around the pond has resulted in it turning into a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” says Minati Behera, another local.
Local corporator Manjulata Prusty said, “I have already written to the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities about this.” She informed that a proposal of `1.2 crore has been submitted to CMC for renovating the pond and constructing a boundary wall around it.
A senior CMC official, on condition of anonymity, said renovation work on the pond will start soon.
