GUWAHATI, May 18 - The historic tank at Silpukhuri, earlier known as Na-Kunia Pukhuri, has now lost its pristine beauty due to sheer negligence on the part of the authorities concerned.
The beauty of the pond, which once attracted scores of morning walkers and children, has now become a thing of the past with thick grass and weeds virtually gobbling up its surroundings.
The pond is without proper lighting and the swings meant for children are also broken. Although the park around the Silpukhuri pond underwent changes in the past, all that has now been rendered meaningless due to lack of maintenance.
�The Silpukhuri Park, which was renovated a few years back, is now in a poor condition due to lack of funds. The money collected from ticket sales is used to pay the security man�s salary as well as for maintenance of the park. But since the amount is very small, it is not enough to meet all the expenses. Besides, no help is coming from the Government�s side. The only source of revenue is the sale of tickets, which does not meet the entire expenses for maintenance of the park,� said Jayanta Barman, general secretary of the Silpukhuri Suraksha Samiti.
It may be mentioned here that the Silpukhuri Suraksha Samiti also has plans to clean the pond, but due to lack of money, the project has not been executed yet.
Utpal Miri, former Director of Technical Education and a resident of Silpukhuri, who was closely associated with the development of the tank, rued the negligence of the Government in this regard.
Miri said if some sort of help comes from the Government, it would be helpful for the Silpukhuri Suraksha Samiti to maintain the pond and the park. He, however, expressed his happiness that miscreants have not turned the area surrounding the tank into a liquor den and gambling centre.
The Silpukhuri Suraksha Samiti is planning to approach the Guwahati Development Department Minister to discuss the further beautification and maintenance of the historic site.