Guwahati: Twin ponds of Ahom-era in Jorpukhuri opened for public

GUWAHATI: An Ahom-era landmark of Guwahati, the Jorpukhuri (twin ponds) located next to the historic UgartaraDevalaya here, has finally been renovated into a modern-day park, and is open to tourists ahead of Magh Bihu on Friday. has been opened for

Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority renovated the project under the AMRUT Mission, involving an expenditure of Rs 3.23 crore.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the renovation project. He asked the Kamrup Metro District Administration concerned to ensure that the quiet residential area of ​​the city, which is one of the few that still evokes memories of old Guwahati, does not turn into a bustling commercial area. be
“The Ahom King Swargadeo Shiva Singha dug the twin ponds (Jorpukhuri) to ensure no water crisis for the maintenance of the historic Ugartara temple. The Guwahati Development Department beautified, renovated and developed the ponds. had taken steps for, and today we have succeeded in opening the park for visitors,” Sarma said at the inaugural programme.
“The revised plan will definitely make the ponds more attractive and attract tourists. But at the same time, I expect the district authorities to maintain the biodiversity of the ponds and turn the area into a commercial space. There should be no harm to peace and tranquility in the residential area,” the Chief Minister said.

Notably, the twin tanks—Jorpukhuri East and Jorpukhuri West—are separated by the Naojan Road, which used to be a river on which the boats of the Ahom army sailed.
History records that the Ahom queen Rani Phuleshwari came by boat from Sivasagar to worship at the Ugartara temple on the banks of the western tank.
These tanks are under the jurisdiction of Guwahati Municipal Corporation. The GMDA looks after the development of the eastern tank while the Ugratara Temple Management Committee looks after the others.

Only the ponds separated by the narrow Naojan Road have now been cleared. The administration has also taken steps to conserve the fish in the ponds.

Residents of the area are happy with the project and the chief minister’s assurance that the peaceful environment of the area will not be compromised.
“A few years ago, one of the ponds was literally turned into a dumping ground because of the dirt that had accumulated in a drain in the area for a long time. Due to long-term neglect and public abuse, the pond algae. / were filled with hyacinths. But as an elderly person and a resident of Jorpukhuri, I am very happy to see the ponds at their best,” Dhirendra Kumar Bora, a senior citizen, told to Media.

The Latasal Jorpukhuri Anchalik Unnayan Committee, formed in 2006, had previously carried out development works in and around the twin tanks, including annual cleaning of algae and hyacinth. But such cleaning often failed because of the drain.
Later, the Chief Minister also visited the Fancy Bazaar Botanical Garden site and reviewed the progress of the work.
“I hope the first phase of the botanical garden will be ready in another six months. I have asked the GMDA authorities to take care of the ancillary facilities and make the place attractive and unique.

“As part of our initiative to transform Guwahati into a Smart City, we have launched the Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project. I have inspected the construction site of Panbazar, which is part of the project, And reviewed the progress. I have stressed on timely completion of quality work,” Sarma said.