Rourkela: A park set up in 1980s at the C-block of Koel Nagar of this city for the local residents has now turned into a den of anti social elements due to lack of upkeep and police patrolling.
Though several complaints were made at the police station against wrongdoers, it fell on the deaf ears, alleged VL Raju, the president of Senior Citizens’ Health Committee, an outfit of elderly people.
Aging persons, women in particular are worst-hit by the unhygienic condition of the lavatories inside the park, he added.
While the artificial water fountain systems erected in the park are in a dilapidated state, thieves have stolen the pipes and lights fitted for illumination. The footpath laid inside the park has developed several cracks and the toilets have become defunct due to snapping of water supply. The sight of morning and evening walkers urinating outside the park makes a mockery of the Swachh Bharat Mission of the government, locals said.
Similarly, senior citizens get injured due to heaps of boulders lying at the entrance of the park. Though the problems faced by the park-users have been raised with the municipal corporation, it has not evoked any response, said the regular visitors.
Senior Citizens’ Health Committee general secretary Sunaram Majhi said Rourkela Steel Plant authorities had built the park using public funds in 1980s and handed it over to the RMC for its management.
Though the RMC appointed four persons for the maintenance of the park, they don’t appear even once in a month, alleged visitors, adding, miscreants have broken all the lights of the park.
Taking advantage of the darkness, the anti-social elements have made the park one of their most preferred hideouts, a report said.
Empty liquor cans can be seen all over the place in the park, according to the visitors.
Though some senior citizens had filed complaints at Jhirpani police station in this regard, police didn’t bother to take action.
Meanwhile, locals sought immediate attention of the authorities for renovation of the park.
PNN