Walking enthusiasts whose favourite haunt has been the Leisure Valley in Sector 10 are facing a queer problem — a stink emanating from the once picturesque choe that runs through the open greens. The water in the choe is dark and dirty green, which has made many walkers turn away from the park.

Regular visitors to the area say a similar stink had started emanating from the water some months ago. The gardeners working at the Valley say they had informed officials of the Horticulture Wing about the problem, after which the choe was cleaned. Now, the problem has arisen again.

Ashok Bansal, a hotelier whose house is adjacent to the park, is a regular walker at the Leisure Valley. He says the stink is so nauseating in the morning that many visitors now prefer walking in the Bougainvillaea Garden adjoining the Leisure Valley. “There, the choe runs through a corner of the garden, so it is easier to walk at a good distance from it,” he says.

Gurvinder Singh Dhillon, an advocate who has been a regular walker at the Leisure Valley, says the stink is caused by the dirty water coming into the choe. “The securitymen at the residence of the Punjab or Haryana Chief Minister seem to be disposing of the sewage into the choe, which makes the water dirty and causes the stink. During monsoon, the increased flow of water flushed out the dirty water. But now, the stink has started again. Something concrete should be done to address the problem,” he demands.

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