Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 16: Kavoor pond, which was developed at a cost of Rs 8.5 crore under the Smart City project, has gone completely dry.

Fish, frogs and tortoises have all died. This is the first time in many years that the pond has gone dry in the month of April itself.

A walking track has been built around the lake. There are stone benches for joggers and walkers to sit and relax. Even during the night, walking is allowed as the facility is floodlit. However, as the pond in the centre was not developed properly, it has gone dry. The park looks beautiful only when the pond is full of water.

During the Smart City project work, drainage water which used to flow into the pond from nearby apartment buildings and houses has  stopped. In earlier years as the sewage water used to flow into the pond, it used to look full. Locals are unhappy as the pond has not been developed properly during the Smart City project work. Even if five feet of silt was removed from the pond, there would have been sufficient water to supply to the whole village of Kavoor.

Maintenance of work that is done on the pond is of prime importance. It is not being taken care of properly. Lights should be replaced if they are not working. Interlocks should be refixed if they come off the ground. Iron fences need to be painted. Otherwise in another year, the park is likely to look desolated.