BHUBANESWAR: Come summer and residents will see six large natural ponds in the city renovated. These are Fishery pond , Kapileswar pond, Jhara Pokhari, Baghua Pokhari, Bada Pokhari and Haja Pokhari The Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund will provide money for the renovation project. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will undertake the renovation and complete it before the end of April. Residents of several localities depend on the ponds for bathing.The ponds will be cleaned and weeded so that they can retain water throughout the summer. Last year, eight ponds had been renovated at a cost of Rs 2.10 crore. These were Nilakantha Puskarini, Masjid pond, Sadhu pond, Maa Ugalamani pond, Gadakana Pokhari, Bhotapada pond, Balunkeswar pond and Jena Sahi Pokhari As part of the renovation, the six ponds will get boundary and retaining walls along the waterfront, pathways, an outlet through which excess water will be drained and fences. Besides, they would be de-silted, said a BMC engineer.A source in the BMC said the water bodies were centuries old. "The weeding will help maintain water quality. Our engineers conducted a survey to carry out renovation in a scientific and sustainable manner," said a BMC officer. The corporation added that it would also construct new embankments in some of the ponds.The civic body will take bio-remedial measures to maintain cleanliness in the ponds. There are also plans to build new approach roads to the water bodies. Designer lights will be installed around some of the bigger ponds.

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