Odisha largely free from caste, religion resonance in electoral politics
Caste calculation, religious affiliation has never emerged as a tool to woo voters.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) which had taken up renovation work of 14 water bodies last year, has so far finished work with eight of them here at a cost of Rs 210 lakh, said official sources. All these ponds/water bodies would be developed with retaining wall along the water front, pathways or parikrama, landscaping, water outlet for efficient drainage of excess water and railing or fencing as per requirement and budget and local need.
Work of the remaining six water bodies would be over by April. It is being funded from the Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (OUIDF). A senior engineer of BMC, in-charge of the renovation work of water bodies, said that apart from the development work, de-silting of the pond was also carried out to ensure better depth or water level in the ponds.
It can be noted here that with a porous lateritic soil around the State Capital was having several water bodies since ages and from 6th Century AD in and around the numerous temples in the city. With rapid urbanisation and growth of the concrete structures, however, the many of the age old water bodies vanished.
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The rising summer temperatures were partly due to the disappearance of the water bodies. The effort of the civic body to maintain and restore the water bodies as well as develop the green cover is expected to have a positive impact on the climate during summer months.
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