Mysuru: Two ancient Kalyanis (traditional stepped wells) near the Saraswathipuram swimming pool in Mysuru have deteriorated into a sorry state, with stagnant green water and piles of garbage accumulating in what was once a vital water source from the royal era.

Former Corporator K.V. Sridhar has raised serious concerns about the neglect, calling it a mockery of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Mysuru missions.

Located adjacent to the Shaneshwaraswamy Temple in the Ayurveda Park premises, these Kalyanis now emit foul smell that forces devotees to cover their noses when visiting the temple.

Sridhar has squarely blamed officials from the Government Ayurveda Medical College and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) for the current condition, warning of mass protests if immediate rejuvenation measures are not taken.

These Kalyanis were historically part of an important water channel system. Excess water from Kukkarahalli Lake used to flow into the Chandravana Kalyani, which houses medicinal plants, before reaching another Kalyani near the University of Mysore swimming pool and eventually joining the Raja Kaluve to flow till Bandipalya.

However, this system has been completely disrupted in recent years due to official apathy, Sridhar explained.

He has proposed a detailed revival plan, emphasising the need to preserve the original structure while clearing weeds and silt carefully.

Sridhar stressed that any rejuvenation must involve heritage and groundwater experts, suggesting the creation of a beautification project for the Kalyanis and their surroundings.

“This neglect is particularly shocking when the Government spends crores on Kalyani rejuvenation projects elsewhere,” Sridhar remarked, highlighting how these ancient water bodies not only represent Mysuru’s heritage but also play a crucial role in groundwater recharge.

With the Kalyanis now reduced to mosquito breeding grounds, the situation poses both public health concerns and a loss of historical water management systems.

Sridhar plans to submit a formal petition to the District Administration and has threatened to organise public protests if the responsible authorities fail to take immediate action to restore these neglected heritage structures.