Karamtoli pond DPR likely to be revisited

In the wake of the recent instructions coming from Chief Minister Raghubar Das after he inspected Karamtoli Talab renovation work on Saturday, the authorities were found pulling up their socks afresh. It is learnt that following the CM’s directions to demolish all concrete structures coming up in the name of parking, watch towers and others a new DPR may come in two weeks time.

An official of Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company Limited (JUIDCOL) on anonymity said that over two weeks time will be required to change the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

“The instructions from the CM have just come. We are looking what can be done into the DPR. It will take at least two weeks to make improvements into the DPR which is presently in place,” said he on Sunday

On its party an official of the company managing the revamping task at the pond right at the heart of the city said that as soon as the official statement is issued, they will start demolishing the constructions done so far.

Niranjan Rai, Contractor, handling the Karamtoli Talab restoration project said that in the first stance it appears that the basement is being constructed inside the pond severely affecting the catchment area but in reality, the construction work has been undertaken on the barren land near the pond.

“Only after conducting the survey, we initiated the civil construction work. As per my knowledge and the present DPR, only three things were supposed to be constructed at Karamtoli Talab which includes Watch Tower, Basement and Multipurpose hall. Also, no alterations have been done with the natural source of water during the civil construction work,” said Niranjan Rai.

Notably, on July 14, during the surprise inspection of work status of Karamtoli Talab, the CM had issued an instruction to the civil construction firm to modify the DPR of Karamtoli pond restoration plan. The decision has been considered taking into account the issue of catchment area which is getting compressed in the process of beautification destroying the natural elements and inviting threat in restoring water after the concrete construction.

According to the sources, nearly Rs 11.40 crore is to be spent on the beautification of Karamtoli Pond. The project is likely to get completed in two year time. JUIDCOL in association with Hong-Kong based company – UDP International has prepared the DPR of the pond with several features like musical-dancing and color fountain, being developed in the centre of the pond and a 40-feet-high, Watch Tower.

In addition, according to the earlier proposal, underground parking (basement) was supposed to be constructed on the ground next to the pond for parking more than 100 vehicles. Beautification of the Sarna site adjacent to the pond is also on the card with light and sound facility.

“At present, we have stopped the construction work. The work will be resumed soon after the release of modified DPR. As per my knowledge, minor alteration will be done as no major blunder was made during the earlier construction,” added Rai on Sunday.