Tale of sheer official negligence

ALLAHABAD: The abandoned overhead tank located in front of Tara Chand Hostel of Allahabad University is posing serious threat to residents living in its vicinity. The tank which may collapse any day is a glaring example of official negligence.
It is worth mentioning that this overhead tank was built under the supervision of retired junior engineer of AU BK Kakkar and was commissioned in the year 1977 and was used till 1985.The tank is abandoned since then and has developed broad cracks in its main sidewalls. It is standing on the support of bamboos and rusted pipes. Remarkably, the tank is located besides the quarters of teachers and class three employees of AU.
A university official on the condition of anonymity said that the tank had developed cracks prior to the filling of water, but the contractor concerned along with few officials repaired and painted the walls. He further said that the tube well which was to supply water to the tank also developed holes in couple of weeks, but was again ignored by the university authority.
The deplorable condition of the tank and official negligence can be gauged from the fact that around 25 long years have passed since this tank should have been dismantled, varsity authorities have not taken any steps in this direction.
The water supplied from the tank used to fulfil the need of TC hostel, MBA, University guest house, law department, Gandhi Bhavan, Teachers Colony and Pant Hostel. The tube well supplying water to them has been over used and has been working for more then twenty years. The tank is standing only on the support of the pipes which was used for the supply of water.
The situation is alarming as many attempts have been initiated by the varsity authorities but the tank has till date not been dismantled and as such the families continue to live in constant fear of the tank getting collapsed, any time.
When university engineer NK Singh was contacted to comment on the issue he was not available.