PRAYAGRAJ, April 17 -- With the city's growing population driving a soaring demand for land, encroachment has become a widespread issue-leading to the disappearance of numerous ponds across Prayagraj. While their names and Arazi Sankhya (land numbers) still appear in official records, many of these water bodies no longer exist on the ground.

Out of the 148 big and small ponds listed in municipal records, nearly 30 to 40 have vanished. For instance, the ponds with land numbers 470/1 and 470/2 in Arail have completely disappeared. Similarly, ponds bearing land numbers 36/2 and 37 in Naini Dadri, 74/2 in Chak Bhatai (Naini), 67, 77, and 142 in Kazipur (Naini), and 102/2, 539/11, and 539/14 in Harwara, along with land number 408 in Fatehpur ...