The Statesman, Jan 1, 2009
Statesman News Service
BHAWANIPATNA, Jan 1: The beautification and renovation project launched for Asha Sagar, a 158-year-old water body here, remains stalled midway three years after the launch of the project due to the non-allotment of funds.
The 74-acre water body was constructed in 1850 during the reign of King Udit Pratap Deo of Kalahandi and was named after his queen. The Asha Sagar, which is surrounded on three sides by hills and on the fourth side by the town was taken over by the minor irrigation department after Independence. Over the years, the water body lost its beauty and utility due to negligence, sources said. Large-scale encroachment has reduced the Asha Sagar to only 54 acres at present. Furthermore due to the discharge of waste from the Bhawanipatna municipality drainage system into the water body the water of Asha Sagar has become unfit for consumption, locals said.
To restore the water body to its former beauty a project proposal of Rs 3 crore and 15 lakh was prepared by the minor irrigation department. In 2006-07 Rs 2 crore was made available from the Revised Long Term Action Plan (RLTAP) and in 2007-08 Rs 1 crore was sanctioned from the Biju KBK Yojana. With this sanctioned amount, renovation work such as de-silting, improvement of dam and dyke and repair work was undertaken. However the work remained incomplete since no additional funds were sanctioned. Hence the construction of a separate drain alongside the Asha Sagar to discharge drain water bypassing the water body and the construction of a syphon over Ghodaghat Nal could not be started. Similarly, the proposal for the beautification of Asha Sagar by putting up lighting facilities on its banks and setting up of a park and boating facilities could not be undertaken.
Meanwhile locals have reportedly demanded the completion of the beautification proposal and for the eviction of encroachment to bring back the former glory of the water body.
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