Stroll in the park for a fee

Everything comes at a price in Vaishali, even visiting Ambedkar Park and Krishna Vatika.

Be it a normal morning stroll or evening relaxed walk, all seems to be pricey for residents now. This extra burden on pockets has forced many to avoid these parks as well. Some also questions the need for a charge when they pay taxes on time.
This 23-acre area that was ruined during the Vaishali Metro station construction was beautified by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) at a total cost of Rs 2 crore. Earlier, a sub-station was present at this place but it was shifted after the residents protested to develop the place as a park. "The residents went from pillar to post to get these parks developed and finally what they get in return is a charge to enter the park. This is totally unfair," said K Hasan, president, Confederation of Trans-Hindon RWAs.
A daily visit charge of Rs 5 per head is levied on visitors of these parks. Visitors can also pay a monthly charge of Rs 75 for entering these parks. Most of the people who visit the parks daily are senior citizens and children. Since both don't come under the earning category, it is difficult for them to pay every time to visit these parks. "Many senior citizens live alone and all they have is pension or rent which they get from their rented flats. Paying a visiting charge for park is not that easy for them. A few refreshing hours
that they get in the parks have turned pricey," said BN Goyal, president, Vaishali High Rise Building Association. A few kilometres away from these parks,
Indraprastha Millennium Park is also located, which is properly maintained and beautified. However, the visitors are not charged. "The authorities can't pass on the maintenance charges of the parks on the residents when they are getting yearly fund for the development of various parks in their area," said Amrita Chandwal, a resident of Vaishali Sector 4.
As per the residents, this matter has been raised over and over again through various interactions with the local authorities and the GDA officials. It was also assured by the GDA that for the senior citizens, there will be no tickets till 9 am. However, nothing has been done till now.
GDA vice-chairman Narendra Kumar Chaudhary said, "The UP elections are approaching. We will discuss this issue after the elections."

Ignoring woes
As per the residents, this matter has been raised over and over again through various interactions with the local authorities and the GDA officials. It was also assured by the GDA that for the senior citizens, there will be no tickets till 9 am. However, nothing has been done till now.