monalisa patsani
post news network
Bhubaneswar, July 22: A few months ago, the government announced that it will develop 17 new parks in the city within five years under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The projects were also allocated Rs5.4 crore.
In the first phase, three parks — one each at Niladrivihar, Kanan Vihar and Sailashree Vihar — were taken up for completion this year. The projects were allocated Rs32 lakh, Rs52 lakh and Rs51 lakh respectively. However, while the city gears up for these new parks, some of the existing ones beg attention, urgently.
The Madhusudan Park at Pokhariput is a case in point. Scores of people visit the park in the mornings and evenings to jog or play with children.
When the park was inaugurated in March 2009, it had 70 lamps. Of these only 30 are in working order today. The lack of lighting has reduced predawn and evening patronage for the park.
The park, which remains open from 5am to 8pm, had been quite popular among residents of Bhimatangi, Pokhariput, Bhakta Madhunagar, Gandamunda, Jagamara, Badabari and the Airport. It drew big crowds particularly in the evenings.
The horticulture wing of Bhubaneswar Development Authority maintains the park, but it does not take care of things other than landscape and plants in the park.
According to visitors, anti-social elements have damaged most lamps. New rides and the play zone for kids remain dark in the evenings and worried parents and children keep away from these areas. Rains have aided the profuse growth of underbrush, which puts children at risk of being bitten by insects or reptiles.
“Recently about 10 lamp posts were broken by some miscreants. The children’s park, which has few lights now, remains dark in the evenings. That is why children are not going there,” a visitor said.
Every day more than 200 people visit the park, which has a 2.5-km jogging track. The track has benches are every 20 metres and the landscaping is eye-catching. But the track is falling into disuse as most lights there are blown out.
“When the park was opened it had adequate lighting. But recently some posts and lights were broken and the authorities concerned are yet to replace these. Many college students visit the park in the evenings and they flinging stones at them lights and break them. They also engage in other anti-social activities that damages the park,” Hrishikesh A Bhujabal, a retired police officer who resides nearby, said. Bhujabal, who mostly visits the park with friends and wife, said: “Maintenance of the park has improved and it is still one of the best parks in the city with an outdoor gym. But right now we need proper lighting to improve things.”