Stinky water at Joggers’ Park puts off visitors

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 17

Thick algae, stagnant water, foul smell and mosquitoes have turned the four lakes at Joggers’ Park into pools of mess.

Joggers’ Park was inaugurated by the former deputy chief minister of the state amidst much fanfare.

The lakes planned to beautify the place now paint a picture of apathy.

The first-of-its-kind project with tracks exclusively dedicated for jogging and cycling along the water tanks of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) was developed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore.

The jogging and cycling track has two different sections separated by a green belt. Private consultants were roped in for landscaping.

The four lakes, fed by the Sirhind canal, are not cleaned for days, thereby turning into eyesores and breeding ground for mosquitoes.

A pointer to this fact is the thick layer of algae that starts growing on the surface of the water.

Officials of the Municipal Corporation of Bathinda told Bathinda Tribune that the civic body had in fact written letters to the Water Supply and Sanitation Department mentioning that the water tanks needed cleanliness and wild vegetation must be weeded out.

The officials added that the lakes were directly fed by the canal and the trash thrown in the canal by residents of the nearby areas and devotees flows into these tanks.

SK Ranga, XEN, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, while talking to Bathinda Tribune, said the work of cleaning the lakes was assigned to Triveni company.

“The maintenance of the lakes is in the hands of the private firm, Triveni. The department will take up the matter with the company and make sure that the lakes are cleaned,” he said.

“The water in the open tanks may be dirty but before being fed into the underground and overhead tanks of the Water Works, it is chlorinated and then supplied, which makes it safe for consumption,” he said.

City residents said the state government and the district administration must maintain the projects initiated with the taxpayers’ money.

“The SAD-BJP Government and the Bathinda Development Authority came up with the ambitious project worth crores and popularised it as a main spot in the city. Within a year, the authorities have forgotten all about the project. This is not surprising since this is the case with almost all projects initiated by the state government,” said Anganveer Singh, a trader.

“The state government is always keen on developing projects but when it comes to maintenance, it lacks the spirit. Originally planned to add beauty to the park, these lakes have become a menace now since foul smell emanates from the dirty water. Morning walkers and cycling enthusiasts who regularly visit the place are all critical of the unkempt lakes,” said Anita Bansal, a housewife.