Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 21: Gujjarakere pond which is 1,800 years old and one of the biggest ponds under the city limits has been revived at last. The silt in the pond is being removed through dredging.

The Gujjarakere pond which has 3.43-acre area and religious background was neglected and not maintained for many decades. Though the local administration had kept the required funds for the development of the pond, lack of initiative from the people representatives of the area had stalled the work.

Now a plan for the development of the pond under the Smart City project of Mangaluru is formed at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore and the work has begun. The aim of the project is to increase the underground water level in the pond as well as making it a tourist spot.

As the silt in the pond was not cleared on time several feet of silt got accumulated in the pond. At present, the silt to a level of 15 feet is being removed. However, the silt is being removed from an area that six feet away from the bank. The office-bearers of Gujjarakere Theertha Samrakshana Vedike opine that leaving six feet from the bank will again make the silt to accumulate in the pond.

The sources of drainage water which were getting mixed into the pond water have been rectified so the drainage water does not get into the pond now. The repair work of building the stone wall around the pond is also in progress. The trees on the banks of the pond will be retained. The project intends to develop grass, installation of benches to sit, development of roads around the pond, open gym, walking track, steps to get down to water, vehicle parking area and toilets. All the work will be completed by the end of May 2021.

Mohammed Nazeer, managing director Mangaluru Smart City limited said, "Silt removal work of Gujjarakere is in progress and will be completed in 10 days. The construction work of steps to get down to the pond is under progress. Once the rain stops completely, walking track, sitting benches and garden construction will be done."

Nemu Kottari chief secretary of Gujjarakere Theertha Samrakshana Vedike says, "MLA Vedavyas Kamath is taking a special interest in getting the work of Gujjarakere done. According to the officials, silt removal work is in progress now. However, the silt is being removed from an area that is six feet away from the banks. This will make the silt fall into the pond further and fill it again."