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Ramalingam tank to get facelift

— Photo: Lingaraj Panda

A view of Ramalingam tank, a large water body right in the middle of the silk city.

BERHAMPUR: With the intervention of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern division), Satyabrata Sahu, plans are on to rescue the Ramalingam tank in the heart of the city from encroachment and pollution.

This large tank was called the breathing space of the city. It was also called ‘lake’ by many due to its large area. But a legal tussle has been a major hindrance in the maintenance of this tank. It has also prevented the municipality to even clean up the tank. This large tank was donated to the municipality by its former owner but his successors are not ready to accept it as a long legal tussle continues between them and the municipality over its ownership.

There are allegations that land mafia are trying to kill this tank in a gradual manner to misuse it as real estate as it is located in the heart of the city. At a recent meeting called up by the RDC for the preservation of green zones inside the city, this tank was a major point of discussion. The RDC ordered Berhampur tehsildar to call up a meeting between the trustees claiming ownership over the tank, local municipality and the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) to decide upon future plans for the renovation and cleaning of the tank. At this high level meeting it was decided not to let this large water body to be filled up and used for construction work. It was decided to use legal means to renovate the tank for public cause overriding the parties opposing the move.

The city would observe Van Mahotsav from July 1 to 20 to increase its green cover.

The BDA was directed to open up a subsidised nursery and sell seedlings of trees to families. Every school in the city would now plant large trees in their premises and all families would be directed to have trees either on their front or backside of their houses.

Efforts would be made not to let surviving open spaces in the city limits to be used for construction work. They would be developed as green patches.

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