Patna's ambitious Adalatganj pond project, once hailed as a transformative Smart City initiative and a dream project of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, now stands as a stark symbol of neglect and stalled development. Inaugurated with much fanfare in December 2021, the renovated pond today is plagued by non-functional facilities, broken infrastructure, and poor maintenance, leaving visitors disappointed and questioning the use of public funds.
A Dream Project Turned Sour
The pond, which was a garbage dumping ground until a few years ago, underwent a massive transformation under the Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL). The renovation work cost approximately Rs 10.62 crore. A key highlight was a Rs 2 crore water musical fountain designed to showcase Bihar's history through laser shows projected on water. The total project area spans 11,368 square metres, with the pond itself covering 7,834 square metres.
However, the current reality is grim. The expensive musical fountain and laser show are completely defunct. Boating facilities, a promised attraction, are non-operational, with paddle boats lying in a dilapidated state along the pond's edge. The food plaza remains shut, and several footlights are broken, with exposed wires posing a safety hazard. Despite this, visitors are still charged an entry fee of Rs 20.
Voices of Disappointment from Patna Residents
Local residents and visitors have expressed their frustration over the state of the facility. Priya Saurabh, a resident of Boring Road, pointed out the dysfunction. "All the renovated works and new installations are non-functional. Neither laser shows nor boating take place. A Rs 20 ticket is being charged for entry, while there is nothing to see here," she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, another visitor, Prince Arya, noted the visible negligence. "It was a good place initially, but gross negligence is visible now. The machine for the laser show is lying idle, and public money is being wasted," Arya added. He also mentioned that while the main premises are cleaned, overgrown bushes along the edges are ignored.
Official Response and Maintenance Failure
When contacted, a Patna Smart City official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the agency originally assigned for maintenance was terminated due to unsatisfactory performance. Despite repeated warnings, the contract had to be ended. A subsequent tender to find a new operator failed to attract any interested parties.
"Now, the Smart City authorities will issue a re-tender," the official stated. The official assured that basic cleaning of the pond is done regularly and security guards are deployed in both day and night shifts. However, this does little to address the core issue of reviving the high-value attractions that were the project's main draw.
The story of Adalatganj pond highlights a recurring challenge in urban development projects: the gap between grand inauguration and sustainable maintenance. As Patna aims to become a 'Smart City,' the neglect of this flagship project raises serious questions about long-term planning, accountability, and the effective utilization of crores of public money intended for civic improvement.
