By Tripura24.in Reporter
Tension flared up in the Dhaleswar area of Agartala today as local residents raised their voices against the alleged illegal filling of a water body (pond) situated adjacent to the Prachya Bharati School. Claiming that the act is a blatant violation of environmental laws and a threat to the local ecosystem, the community has demanded immediate intervention from the district administration and the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC).
The Grievance: Environmental and Safety Concerns
According to the locals, a private party began dumping soil and construction debris into the pond under the cover of night. By early morning, a significant portion of the water body had been encroached upon.
Residents gathered at the spot, halting the work and raising slogans against the “land mafia” they believe is behind the operation. Their primary concerns include:
- Drainage Crisis: Filling the pond will lead to severe waterlogging in the Dhaleswar area during the monsoon season.
- Groundwater Depletion: The pond serves as a natural recharge point for the locality’s groundwater.
- School Safety: Proximity to Prachya Bharati School makes the construction activity a nuisance and a potential safety hazard for students.
Allegations of Administrative Apathy
Speaking to Tripura24.in, a local resident stated:
”This pond has been here for decades. Suddenly, some people are trying to turn it into a building site without any valid permission. We have informed the local councillor and the police, but the work hasn’t stopped permanently. We will not allow a single more truck of soil to be dumped here.”
Legal Standpoint on Water Bodies
Under the current state regulations and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, the filling of ponds or any natural water bodies for commercial or residential purposes is strictly prohibited in Tripura. The “Pond Conservation Act” mandates that the character of a water body cannot be changed without high-level governmental clearance, which is rarely granted for private construction.
Current Situation
Following the protest, a team from the local police station visited the site to pacify the crowd. While the work has been temporarily halted, the residents have vowed to launch a larger agitation if the dumped soil is not removed and the pond restored to its original state.
[Image showing a partially filled pond with heaps of soil and protesting residents in the background]
