N-choe raises a stink at Shanti Kunj

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23

The N-choe passing through Shanti Kunj and Rose Garden in Sector 16 here has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and emits stench due to non-maintenance.

During a visit to Shanti Kunj, Chandigarh Tribune found that water had accumulated at several points in the choe as there were no arrangements to clear the hindrances in the flow of water. Water settles in several pits in the choe bed and the Administration is apparently adopting piecemeal measures to address the problem.

The water body, which originates near the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Sector 2, passes through Rose Garden and Shanti Kunj. Water lies stagnant in its bed at its end point in Rose Garden. Further, litter affects the flow of water towards Shanti Kunj. A stretch of the choe connecting Rose Garden and Shanti Kunj was found unclean and full of mosquitoes.

The things only turn worse as the choe water enters Shanti Kunj. Morning and evening walkers at the place complain about stench emanating from the water body.

“I don’t have any idea where sewerage water gets mixed with the choe water. A stretch here emanates foul smell as water has been accumulating here for the past few days. We have raised the issue with the authorities concerned several times, but to no avail. They just did a formality in the name of resolving the issue by dumping rubble. In fact, there is a need to fill the pits and make a proper way for the water to flow,” said a regular visitor to the park.

“At some stretches, there is no water while at some places there is a plenty of stagnant water. It does not seem to be a natural choe. It is an eyesore for visitors. It appears that no maintenance work has been undertaken at the choe for the past several years,” said Himanshu, a college student.

After getting complaints from residents and visitors, officials got debris thrown at the places emitting foul smell. However, it has failed to have the desired effect.

UT Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand said, “We have filled some pits by throwing debris on it. We will fill more such pits as we cannot disturb the natural flow of water.”