Maharaj Bandh Talab: A dying heritage in the heart of Raipur
   Date :22-Apr-2025

Maharaj Bandh Talab
 
 
By Manoj Dewangan :
 
Raipur,
 
Once a shimmering lifeline and symbol of Raipur’s heritage, the Maharaj Bandh Talab is now a neglected and dying water body. Overrun by water hyacinth, choked with sewage, and littered with plastic waste, the pond stands as a stark reminder of urban apathy and civic failure. Located in the heart of the capital and built around 1770 during the rule of Maharaj Rao Dani, this historic lake is the second-largest in Raipur after Telibandha. For generations, it served as a vital source of water for irrigation, household use, religious activities, and fisheries. Today, it’s reduced to a foul-smelling swamp. Shivnandan Yadu, a senior citizen and priest at the nearby Shiv-Parvati Temple, recalls its past glory. “There was a time we could see the bottom of the lake.
 
We used its water for drinking and cooking. Farmers depended on it. Now, it stinks and carries the city’s waste,” he said. Despite spending lakhs every year on de-weeding and cleaning drives, the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has failed to bring lasting change. The lake’s condition continues to worsen. Local farmer Shailendra Dhimar said, “Every year RMC removes the hyacinth, but it grows back. An STP was sanctioned years ago, but the work has stalled. The efforts are for show, not real revival.” Social worker Ajay Tiwari blamed poor planning and lack of commitment. “Every nearby drain dumps waste into the lake. Until we stop sewage and garbage from flowing in, these clean-up drives are a waste of taxpayer money,” he said. Even local corporator Jaishree Nayak admitted that the lake is now unfit for religious use. “We have to arrange water tankers during festivals.
 
The pond has never been cleaned properly. A project of this scale needs technical expertise, funds, and political will,” she said. The proposed solution a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) under the Raipur Smart City Limited (RSCL) has remained stuck for years. Project engineer Atul Chopra cited an accident involving the contractor for the delay. “Work will resume within a week. We aim to complete it this financial year,” he said. However, residents and environmentalists argue that without a functional STP, the pollution will continue. Surface-level cleaning alone won’t save the lake. Confusion over responsibilities has also added to the delay. Hitendra Yadav, Zone-6 Commissioner, admitted he was unaware of the STP’s status. “It’s under RSCL. I’ve just joined and will review the matter urgently,” he said. Locals say the neglect of Maharaj Bandh Talab reflects a deeper crisis in governance.
 
“This pond is not just water it’s part of our history. If the government can’t restore it, it shows how little value is placed on our heritage,” said the local residents who are peeved over the current state of the pond and administrative apathy. The revival of this lake is more than an environmental issue—it’s a test of civic responsibility and political resolve.