Park turns Haven

In the name of the drainage work and road widening, started nearly a year ago, the beautiful park near Sampiege Theatre stands ignored by the civic authorities.

With lush green ambiance and tall shady trees, the park was one of the best hangouts for the local people. Unfortunately, the authorities have now left it open for all sorts of activities by anti-social elements.
The big drainage work and the following road widening project near the Sampiege Theatre were the reasons for the authorities to bring down the wall of the park facing the side of the theatre. It's nearly a year since the work began and though the drainage work has been completed, the park and its wall have been left totally ignored.
"Earlier, the park was one of the best hangouts. People used to come, sit and relax for hours, but now it has turned out to be a mess. The entire wall on the other side is broken and seeing this condition many people are throwing garbage on the side. Even a few uncultured people who pass by are seen peeing on the side. This beautiful park will soon turn into a dumping ground if proper measures are not taken," said Radhika, a resident of the area.
With one of the sides of the park being adjacent to the hospital, it was also the only best spot for the visitors to sit and relax. With the park now being left open, many anti-social elements are also seen utilizing the place for their activities. "With no wall, anybody and everybody can enter the park at anytime. It's not safe now even to sit on the other side of the park facing the hospital. Though they close the gate sometimes on this side, it's hardly useful. The authorities should do something very soon to preserve this beautiful park," added another resident.
There are bars adjacent to the park and this is also one of the major reasons for fear among the people.
Understanding the situation, the Horticulture Department has requested the concerned authorities concerned to complete the work as soon as possible, but according to them, road widening work is still to be done and the wall could be constructed only after that, said Reddy, Engineer, Horticulture Department, BBMP. "Earlier, we used to do the civil works concerning the parks, but now we are only in charge of its maintenance. We surely understand the situation and will ask the authorities to take the required action soon," he added.
With the authorities still keeping mum on the same, the actual repercussions are yet to be seen. Having the park left open with no boundary, it is an open access for all and can turn out to be a hub for anti-social activities as the residents fear if proper actions are not taken.

No more best hangout
'Earlier, the park was one of the best hangouts. People used to come, sit and relax for hours, but now it has turned out to be a mess. The entire wall on the other side is broken and many people are throwing garbage…This beautiful park will soon turn into a dumping ground if proper measures are not taken.'

--SUCHITHRA PILLAI