Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 11: The condition of the musical fountain at the deer park of Kadri has turned pathetic. The musical fountain was inaugurated in the year 2018. It has been four years since its inauguration but the musical fountain was hardly opened for even a year.

Since the lockdown, the musical fountain has stopped completely. The musical fountain was built at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Kadri Deer Park by Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and was inaugurated by the then chief minister Siddaramaiah on January 7, 2018. The work was completed in six months because of the efforts by the then MLA J R Lobo.

After the fountain was opened to public, there was no entry fee for three months. From April 20, 2018 onwards an entry fee of Rs 50 for adults and Rs 25 for children was fixed. Later the ticket fare was reduced due to the reduction in the number of tourists and viewers.

The water in the fountain has not been cleaned since the lockdown and it still remains untouched. The water is so contaminated that it is breeding mosquitoes, and frogs and even tortoises can be seen.

On February 10, few workers were seen clearing the contaminated water after two years. The department concerned has not appointed any additional workers to maintain the musical fountain or the park. Right now only one worker is seen maintaining the whole deer park for several years.

The water pumps and pipes are completely rusted, damaged and the fountain is surrounded by bushes. As the fountain is closed for more than a year, lacs of rupees may be needed to renovate the musical fountain.

The road leading to Kadri Park has been developed in full swing spending crores of rupees but the venue, deer park and musical fountain have been completely neglected.

Speaking to Daijiworld, a resident in the vicinity, Suresh Shetty said, "We have brought this to the notice of the corporation and the deputy commissioner. They have appointed only one staff for the entire deer park and it is impossible for a lone worker to maintain the deer park. The water has been stagnant since a year in the musical fountain pool which breeds mosquitoes and today they are cleaning it. It is better that the corporation takes steps to give tender for the purpose of maintaining the park."

Former mayor Harinath said, "The musical fountain is not in a good state due to lack of maintenance. The deer park and the musical fountain have not been maintained for years. The corporation should call for a tender to maintain the deer park. Even the generator is fully covered with bushes as it has not been used for years. The stretch between the Circuit House and Padva via Kadri Park is being developed but not a single street light has been installed on the stretch."