Hyderabad: Renovated Shivrampally park to open next month

Rajendranagar: A newly restored HMDA park at Shivrampally is set to be opened in next month, as all the rudimentary words beside the construction of the boundary wall are nearing completion.

After a prolonged delay, restoration works of the desolated park finally began on February 17. "Presently, the works of boundary walls are in process to prevent any further encroachments. Subsequently grounding of gravel will be taken up to complete the formation of walkway in the park. The broken wall from two locations will also be restored soon. With the completion of these works, the park will be readied for the inauguration," informed Srinath Reddy, Forest Manager Department of Urban Forestry.

Explaining the project, the official further said a total of 1.8 hectares of area equivalent to 4 ½ acres of land was being promoted as tree park along with walkway facility and around Rs 10 lakh was earmarked for maintenance of park for a year.

"To provide a beautiful ambience in a tree park, we have planted as many as 17 types of saplings that include Tabubia valandea, Tabubia Risea, Pogada, Spathodea, Bottle Brush, Bignonia, Mahogani, Ficus Blakiana, Fox Tail Palm, Plumeria, Bouganvillea, Tabrnum, Neerium, Inermie, Acalipha, Durantha, Iresian etcetera. This will add essence and improves the garden aesthetically once they grow up to some extent in next few weeks thereby provide a diverse and soothing ambiance to the visitors," he added.

The HMDA park, that stands along the National Highway No.44, went into oblivion for several years after the vegetation it had for several years was shifted to some other location turning the park into a completely desolate land.

The park stands on a dry portion of a historic Bum-Ruknud-Dowla lake. A canal passes about the park downward to where another historic Mir Alam lake exists.

However, the lake once known for its pristine water turned into a polluted pond due to sewerage inflows from the different directions into the water body. As the inflow channels has been blocked by the passing of days, a vast portion of the lake has turned into dry land gasping for breath.

The issue was taken up by The Hans India last year which soon attracted the attention of the higher authorities. Later on, the official machinery swung into action and works to retain the past glory of the HMDA park finally begins thereafter and are gradually taking shape.