<p>A funds crunch in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), coupled with maintenance costs and water shortages, have left many fountain parks in the City bone dry.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Although the BBMP boasts on its website that it maintains over 12 musical fountain parks in various zones of the City, the reality is that not a single one of these fountains is operational. Many have become neglected and are covered with moss and slime.<br /><br />At the mini-water fountain at Kempegowda Tower near Hudson Circle, a staffer, Raju, explained that there has been no water to operate the fountain for the last six months. “The fountain was once gushing with water,” he said. “Now, it is completely dry after the water was stopped during the water crisis last year. To date, no BBMP officials have come to inspect the park and they have taken no action regarding the fountain.” <br /><br />Om Prakruthi Musical Fountain Park, nestled in the Yelahanka Satellite Town, also bears a disused look. According to Jagadish Giri, a resident, the park was built at a cost of around Rs 25 lakh. <br /><br />“It was beautiful when it was working. But in the last year-and-a-half, the cascade has gone defunct. I wonder why so much money is being spent on fountains when there are so many other civic issues plaguing the City. If they want to build something, then they should also know how to look after it,” he said.<br /><br />Fountains at Jayamahal Park and Shivaji Circle are also dry as is the fountain at the Palike headquarters. <br />At the BBMP park in the DSD Tuberculosis and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease at Jayanagar, however, miscreants have stolen the submersible pumps and sprinkler pipes. Residents here claim that antisocial elements are responsible for the theft. <br /><br />Closed by orders<br /><br />N Chandrashekar, the superintendent (East) of the Horticulture Department, explained that many of the fountains have rendered dry on the official order of BBMP commissioner Siddaiah. “He told us to look after other existing parks. Due to the shortage of the funds, some of them are closed down.” Siddaiah, however, told Deccan Herald that he would look into the matter as soon as possible and ensure that the non-functional fountains start working again.</p>
<p>A funds crunch in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), coupled with maintenance costs and water shortages, have left many fountain parks in the City bone dry.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Although the BBMP boasts on its website that it maintains over 12 musical fountain parks in various zones of the City, the reality is that not a single one of these fountains is operational. Many have become neglected and are covered with moss and slime.<br /><br />At the mini-water fountain at Kempegowda Tower near Hudson Circle, a staffer, Raju, explained that there has been no water to operate the fountain for the last six months. “The fountain was once gushing with water,” he said. “Now, it is completely dry after the water was stopped during the water crisis last year. To date, no BBMP officials have come to inspect the park and they have taken no action regarding the fountain.” <br /><br />Om Prakruthi Musical Fountain Park, nestled in the Yelahanka Satellite Town, also bears a disused look. According to Jagadish Giri, a resident, the park was built at a cost of around Rs 25 lakh. <br /><br />“It was beautiful when it was working. But in the last year-and-a-half, the cascade has gone defunct. I wonder why so much money is being spent on fountains when there are so many other civic issues plaguing the City. If they want to build something, then they should also know how to look after it,” he said.<br /><br />Fountains at Jayamahal Park and Shivaji Circle are also dry as is the fountain at the Palike headquarters. <br />At the BBMP park in the DSD Tuberculosis and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Disease at Jayanagar, however, miscreants have stolen the submersible pumps and sprinkler pipes. Residents here claim that antisocial elements are responsible for the theft. <br /><br />Closed by orders<br /><br />N Chandrashekar, the superintendent (East) of the Horticulture Department, explained that many of the fountains have rendered dry on the official order of BBMP commissioner Siddaiah. “He told us to look after other existing parks. Due to the shortage of the funds, some of them are closed down.” Siddaiah, however, told Deccan Herald that he would look into the matter as soon as possible and ensure that the non-functional fountains start working again.</p>
