Though Rs25 lakh was allocated to the Sambalpur municipality to develop a park near a waterbody around a year ago, the civic body has not taken any initiative. Consequently, the fund, which was sanctioned by the Housing and Urban Development Department, has been lying unutilised.
“There are several water bodies in the municipal limit. Some of them are on the verge of extinction because of negligence. The municipality should take steps for the development of park near any of the water bodies,” said a local resident.
With the implementation of the proposal, the residents of the city will get a new recreational place. Moreover, a water body will also get renovated, he added.
“Though the city is expanding and the population of the city has increased remarkably, there are very few recreational places in the city. The municipality should think of developing more number of recreational places in the city. However, it is really unfortunate that despite the availability of fund, the civic body is not taking any steps for the development of a park here,” lamented another local resident.
Earlier, the civic body had decided to renovate the Ramsagar boating club of the city with this fund. The municipality had also initiated talks with the officials of the Urban Development Department in this regard. However, the district administration decided to renovate the boating club from another source and the allocated fund remained unspent.
The Ramsagar boating club was developed in 2003. The Ramsagar pond, which is one of the oldest ponds, located at the heart of the city. “Had the municipality utilised the fund for the renovation and beautification of the boating club, it would have regained its attraction,” said a senior citizen of the city.
However, when contacted, Sambalpur municipality executive officer Aniruddha Padhan said, “The fund is with the Sambalpur municipality. A park will be developed near a water body and we are yet to find a suitable water body for this purpose.” PNS