Badly maintained parks become haven for anti-social elements
Vizianagaram: Parks in Vizianagaram town are in pitiable condition as the municipal administration did not take proper measures to maintain them well. As a result, children and even elders are not in a position to spend their time at the parks in the town. Consequently, they are now becoming haven for anti-social elements.
The town has three lakh population and the municipal administration is not able to provide basic amenities to growing population to the expected levels. As per the records, there are about 30 parks in Vizianagaram town spread in 25 acres of land (all put together), but none of them is in good condition.
Playing equipment like sliders, see-saws, cradles, water-fountains are in pathetic condition and no security guard is there to look after the parks and to prevent the entry of anti-social elements.
Light poles are broken, and children fear to enter the park for playing. Miscreants are occupying the broken benches in parks and playing cards and other games. Prakasam park located opposite to Municipal office is also in pathetic state.
The municipal administration is not taking any measures to develop the parks to provide pleasant atmosphere to the public. The equipment made of iron for children playing in parks were stolen by miscreants and sold as scrap. The pathetic conditions in parks force the children to keep away from them. In summer they don't have even a single venue to spend with their parents and friends.
K Nitishkumar, a class seventh student of SVN Nagar, told "We will go to movies for relaxation as we have no parks here for amusement. If I want to see the park, I have to go to Vizag by travelling 50 kms from here."
On the issue, Municipal Chairperson P Rama Krishna told The Hans India, "We have visited the parks recently and understood the conditions. We have planned to revamp all the parks to give pleasant atmosphere to children and elders too. We will allot some funds from coming budget to change the conditions in parks."