Locals upset with filling up of reservoir in Keonjhar | Bhubaneswar News
Keonjhar: Filling up of ancient reservoir with soil and garbage on Krushak Bazaar premises here by Keonjhar municipality has become a cause for concern among environmentalists and locals.The reason being though the Keonjhar municipality is spending crores of rupees on restoration and beautification of ponds across different wards, it is filling up a reservoir in Krushak Bazar. Activists have demanded a probe into filling up of the reservoir citing strict laws against the destruction of water bodies. “This is a clear violation of environment regulations and we need to know who authorised this action,” said a resident.The reservoir’s location has made it of importance to hundreds of farmers, traders and local residents who frequent the market for their daily needs. “Restoration of the reservoir would enhance the area’s beauty while addressing water conservation needs, particularly given the city’s water scarcity issues,” said Subrat Mohanty, a social activist and BJP member.Former MLA Subarna Nayak, said, “The government is taking steps to renovate water bodies. But it is unfortunate that instead of renovating, they are filling up the water body at Krushak Bazar. The administration should initiate proper steps for its conservation.” Contacted, executive officer of Keonjhar municipality Lalit Kumar Nayak said, “We plan to develop a vending zone for roadside traders by filling up the reservoir at Krushak Bazar. An application for land use change has been submitted to the tehsil office.”This is not the first such incident in Keonjhar. About 20 years back, the municipality built a market complex near Gandhi Chack by filling a pond without changing land kisam. It is now in a dilapidated condition due to land stability issues and it cannot take up new construction as the land kisam has not been changed. “The municipality has applied in Keonjhar tehsil office to change the land kisam,” said the executive officer.
