Mysuru :
Villagers of Hinkal on Hunsur road in the city have pledged to save the centuries old Kalyani (water pond), a portion of which was about to become the property of someone else due to the negligence of MUDA authorities.
The historical Nanneshwara Temple of the village originally had an area of 42 acres, out of which only about 3 acres is now remaining with the temple. The MUDA after acquiring a portion of this land, sanctioned it to an educational institution. The land sanctioned by MUDA included centuries old Kalyani (water pond) measuring 100ft x 100ft.
The Kalyani had shrunk to a large extent as time went by, with mud and shrubs covering more than half of the pond, posing a threat to the very existence of the Kalyani. The villagers drew the attention of the people representatives about the status of the pond. But the people’s representatives including the MLA, MP and other local leaders did not pay much attention to saving the Kalyani then.
The Yuva Brigade along with Hinkal villagers taking keen interest in saving the pond, visited almost every household in the village seeking co-operation.
A few days later, the villagers led by Yuva Brigade leader Lohit Urs, started a voluntary Shramadan to save the pond.
MP Pratap Simha who came to know of the villagers resolve to save the pond, visited the spot and summoned MUDA officials, who later took up works on cleaning the pond of weeds, mud and filth by deploying excavating machines.
But the MUDA which began renovation works with great enthusiasm a few days ago, stopped the works all of a sudden yesterday, which angered Hinkal residents.
Strongly condemning the MUDA’s action of abruptly stopping the renovation works, thousands of Hinkal residents staged a demonstration at the site yesterday.
MUDA member Rakesh Papanna, who hails from Hinkal, held talks with MUDA officials and asked them to resume renovation works immediately, it is learnt.
MUDA Commissioner Dr. N. Mahesh reacting to the protest, admitted that the CA site allotted to the education institution included a portion of the Kalyani and added that the confusion arose as the Kalyani’ appeared to be a small water pond.
Meanwhile, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar speaking to SOM said that “As soon as we came to know of the existence of the Kalyani, we cancelled the allotment of sites around the pond and took possession of the Kalyani. The MUDA sent a JCB to excavate the pond for development and added that measures are taken to develop the Kalyani.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / November 29th, 2015