Repeated requests to check encroachment on water bodies in the Umarkote Municipality seem to have had little effect on the administrative machinery here.
According to reports, an old pond at Dargaguda, under the administrative control of the local municipality, is used as a site for idol immersion. Encroachment on pond continues to shrink the area as the municipality has turned a blind eye to the violations, alleged a local denizen.
It is said that a local business man who is having good influence in the locality has grabbed the pond’s land by placing debris on its corners. Perturbed over the inaction of the local administration, some local denizens have tried to restrict the illegal move of the encroacher and informed the civic body authorities.
Meanwhile, the Executive Officer of the Municipality visited the site and assured the local denizens of taking necessary action.
The illegal work has been going on since long in connivance with the local municipal authority, but due to the public outcry, the authority has only recently shown a measure of promptness, added sources.