Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jun 23: For outsiders, this town presents itself as a beauteous place. However, for those who get to know the town in depth, numerous problems unfold in front of their eyes. People residing in JLB Road, which is situated in the heart of the town, problems created by the outflow of water mixed with effluents in generous quantities from an ancient pond has been a regular phenomenon during every rainy season.

Yes, you can find this notorious pond right by the side of JLB Road here. This pond has a long history but in the recent past, it has been overflowing with filth and effluents as no one is taking care of it. More than a pond, it has become a pit full of smelly waste that is breeding ground for mosquitos, insects and bacteria.

Because of irresponsibility and recklessness of the concerned, the pond has been allowed to decay and decompose. Water from all around flows into this pond during monsoon months. Once the pond starts to overflow, stinky water from the pond flows through nearby drains and spreads effluents, stink, and garbage everywhere. No one has undertaken any initiative to address this issue. Therefore, more and more filth is getting accumulated in this pond and then flowing outside with rainwater.

Here one can see the dream of 'Swachh Bharat' getting shattered. One can find dozens of people speaking about the need for maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and follow good sanitation practices. Moreover, this area is inhabited mostly by government employees. The people accuse these employees also of being responsible for allowing this pond to degenerate. As the pond has not been cleared of its sediment and silt, waste water that flows into the neighbouring agricultural fields creates problems for agricultural activities there. Locals say that these issues have been brought to the notice of the concerned, but this has not made any difference to the condition of the pond.

At a time when waste accumulated in the pond is giving rise to fear of spread of infectious diseases, there are also allegations that this ancient pond is being encroached upon. It appears that this pond has been already encroached to a large extent. The officials concerned need to check documents, and make measurements to find whether the encroachment has actually happened here or not. If this pond is properly renovated and developed, it can provide water in times of need to several areas.

The locals have accused the municipality of failing to take any safety measures for the pond. Parents of children who walk by this pond during rainy season are afraid about dangers posed by it. Parents of the children want protective wall to be built around this pond as a first step.

Sadananda Uppinakudru and others have urged the municipality to find a lasting solution to this pond full of effluents.