LMC to revive ponds in each of its 110 wards

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has decided to revive one pond in each of its 110 wards to check depletion of the ground water table. It will also beauty the ponds in each of the wards.

Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia said, “The effort is to rejuvenate dying ponds, so that depletion of ground water table may be checked. It would also help save the environment and beautification of the water bodies would promote local tourism. We all know Lucknow was once called the city of ponds.

“There were hundreds of ponds acting as water reservoirs in the past, but slowly colonies came up on these water bodies. Some ponds were lost due to development, as a result of which ground water level is depleting at an alarming rate. By conservation of ponds we can ensure speedy recharge of the water table in the state capital.”

“Recently, 88 villages have been added into municipal limits and ponds in these villages can be developed. The LMC will install lights, seats and benches and construct toilets around them. It will also develop parking space and greenery. The civic body will ensure periodic cleaning of these ponds, besides forming inspection teams to monitor their proper maintenance,” said the Mayor.

She said, “The funds would be arranged from the 15th finance commission grant. There are 110 wards within the LMC limits. If we are able to develop 110 such ponds, then it will certainly make a difference in the city’s environment.”

Municipal commissioner Ajay Dwivedi said, “The survey for ponds is on. The municipal corporation is searching for old ponds which are in a neglected state. With the help of corporators, the LMC will identify them and develop them according to the suggestions of the local people. The LMC wants to make local people stakeholders in this work as they are the ones who will ensure proper maintenance of these ponds.”

However, a survey report of the LMC says that there were 964 ponds within the city limits in 1952 but most of them are not even identifiable today.

“Ponds act as sponge and thermo regulators which helps in accumulation of rain water, that’s why this project is important for the state capital,” said Ranjeet Singh, former corporator of Mankameshwar ward and a leading environmentalist who is known for cleaning of river Gomti in the city.