The historic Gagan Mahal garden is one of the biggest gardens of Vijayapura city which attracts hundreds of people everyday, mainly in summer, who take shelter from the scorching summer heat.
The soft green grass and shady trees provide the much-needed relief to people from the blistering summer heat. But during the last week, sitting in the garden has become unbearable for people because of the stinking smell emanating from the adjacent moat. The pile of floating garbage accumulated in the moat and filthy water whose colour has turned algae green are creating a heavy foul smell which is becoming unbearable for people coming to the garden for some rest.
“I came here to take some rest from the heat; but I could not spend more than 15 minutes here because of foul smell,” said Narayan Patil from Sindgi town who was here to purchase pesticide for his farm.
Though the entire garden and the moat come under Archaeological Survey of India, the department has never taken the lead to clean the moat.
Four years ago, a decision was taken by the district administration to introduce boating in the moat as recreational facility for people. But, according to sources, despite the district administration writing several letters, the Archaeological Survey of India has not responded positively.
Therefore, the project could not be implemented. Sources, however, believe that if boating had started, then it would have kept activities going on in the moat which, in turn, would have helped to keep it clean.
With Archaeological Survey of India not showing any interest in keeping the moat clean, the Vijayapura City Corporation has decided to use its resources to clean the moat for the people.
Speaking to The Hindu, Corporation Commissioner Audram said that they started the cleaning operation a few days ago and removed a tractor load of garbage.
“We will resume the cleaning work soon. We were hoping that the Archaeological Survey of India will carry out the job; but now we will do it ourselves. Besides removing floating garbage, we will pour chemical to kill bacteria that are causing the foul smell,” he said.
Mr. Audram hoped that the moat water will remain clean if the Archaeological Survey of India allows boating facility in the moat.