Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) took no step to stop the indiscriminate encroachment of water bodies by influentials having political clout.

Big ponds like Machhu Dighi, Majumdari Dighi, Ramer Dighi, Dastidar Bari Dighi, Sagar Dighi, Chara Dighi, Dhopa Dighi, Rajar Mai Dighi, Indranir Dighi, Kajol Dighi, Kashtoghar Dighi, Brahmanshashon Dighi have disappeared.

At least 20 such water bodies, which served the purpose of floodwater retention spots have been grabbed or filled up for construction of houses or markets, said septuagenarian Ataur Rahman of the city's Modhushahid area. These were natural water reservoirs used by people and for draining out flood water in the city, he said.

Except for a few elders, nobody now knows about Beka Dighi which was in the heart of the city, just on the eastern side of Keane bridge on northern bank of Surma. The area is now Jalalabad Park, where a private nursery has been set up with permission from SCC, sources said.

The Majumdar Dighi and Machhu Dighi are now big ditches due to encroachment and garbage dumping by people around while the city corporation played the role of an onlooker.

Once the city's biggest water body --Laldighi-- is dying fast. A huge commercial complex has been built by filling up a sizeable portion of the water body. The SCC has also built markets there and allotted shops.

A large portion of the Ramer Dighi has been grabbed by organised groups. SCC has allotted parts of its banks to individuals for commercial purposes while the shanties have cropped up on the rest.

The Kajol Dighi near Naiorpul has shrank due to expansion of the Sylhet-Mirabazar road, encroachment and waste dumping.

The Kashtoghar Dighi is almost derelict now and covered with water hyacinth.

SCC officials when contacted could not give any statistics on the number of ponds and water bodies in the city or give satisfactory reasons behind their disappearance.

"They are more interested in construction of markets by filling up the ponds", said a city dweller.

Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said the water bodies could not be maintained properly due to fund constraint. "I personally feel bad seeing their condition", he said . "We were compelled to construct the markets", he concluded with a funny belief.