The Pioneer 02.12.2010
In red, MCD plans to dismantle fountainsStaff Reporter | New Delhi
Citing scarcity of funds to maintain the Musical Fountains in 12 zones, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to dismantle them. The civic body constructed over 100 fountains, five musical fountains and nearly 800 wall falls at the cost of `15 crore. As the Horticulture Department of the body failed to upkeep them, they are lying poor conditions. With the poor maintenance, several Resident Welfare Associations and local councilors also demanded demolition of these structures. Their argument was that water accumulation in them also resulted into mosquito breeding, which may cause spread of malaria, dengue or other diseases.
The Pioneer has earlier reported about the poor state of these facilities. While allowing the demolition of fountains and water falls, Municipal Commissioner KS Mehra said with the recommendation of local councilor, their flattening will be permitted. “In the absence of sufficient funds to look after them, we have no option but to allow their demolition despite the fact, the MCD has spent huge amount over their construction. Several RWAs and councilors have been regularly complaining about the rise in mosquito breeding in stagnated water in these fountains and waterfalls as most of the them are non operational,” said he.
During last few years, the MCD constructed 818 waterfalls in 12 zones in the Capital with a cost of Rs 14. 95 crore.
