Heaps of garbage littered around, weeds standing tall, unmarked danger zone at the water reservoirs including no clear demarcation of pits for waste disposal at various pond sites is the present status of the water bodies in Capital City. With just a few days left for the auspicious ‘Chhath Puja’ to begin, the condition of several water reservoirs is in a total muddle.
The Civic authorities who took a stock of the present condition of water bodies being restored had assured to clean the ponds in a stimulated time. However, the condition of water bodies remains the same.
“The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) had started the task of cleaning the ponds soon after the conclusion of Durga Puja but due to Diwali celebration, the condition of ponds is back to square one. In an attempt to properly adorn the ghats, the civic body has started its work. As many as 40 labourers are deputed at the big water bodies while seven to 10 labourers are lending their service at small ponds,” said RMC City Manager and In-charge of RMC SBM Cell, Sandeep Kumar.
“Besides cleaning ponds, RMC is also barricading the danger zone with red ribbon. Staircases are being cleaned up whereas proper demarcation of routes, lighting including re-carpeting of the lanes is being done. By November 11, all ponds will be cleaned,” added Kumar. As many as 30 ponds – big, small including dams are enlisted with RMC where devotees in large number gather on the pious occasion of Chhath.
In the first phase, the Municipal Corporation initiated the task of giving a facelift to the water reservoirs that includes -- ponds in Madhukam, Morhabadi (Divyayan Pond), Hatma Basti, Teter Toli, Tunki Toli, Bariatu (Joda Talaab), Devi Mandap Road in Hesal, Kadru (behind Hajj House), Hindpiri (Chota Talaab), Dhumsatoli in Chutia and Banas Talaab at a total sum of Rs. 14,59,63,800. A separate project was planned and conceived for cleaning and revamping Ranchi Lake.
“The ongoing restoration work will not pose any hurdle for devotees. The civil construction area around the ponds will be rimmed up properly for better crowd management,” Kumar further added.
Municipal Commissioner, Manoj Kumar on October 26 after seeing names inscribed at the sites (ghats) had asserted that people destroying the beauty of the pond sites will not be spared. “There is no policy that a person can reserve a place of their choice at the pond sites. Rs. 2,000 will be penalised from the defaulters, in case, found violating the norms,” Kumar stated.
Meanwhile, the district administration has demarcated over four water bodies for the Chhath Puja for deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. The NDRF team members will be deployed at Ranchi Lake (Bada Talab), Chadri Talab, Kanke Dam and Dhurwa Dam to prevent any untoward incident.