People put off by parks sans basic amenities

Hyderabad: The death of a six-year-old at a private park at Utopiya Park in Rajendra Nagar is still fresh in public mind.

This brings into focus the condition of seating arrangements in the GHMC parks, which has a lot to improve. In a majority of the 1,017 parks that are under the GHMC, the benches are broken – at some parks they are conspicuous by their absence and in several others, if they are there, people cannot sit on them as the condition is so bad. When asked, GHMC officials say that the work is being delayed due to election code. Works would start soon.

Manohar, a social worker in Rasoolpura, says, "This is a common tactic of the GHMC. Whenever there is a crisis, the officials say that work would begin. We have been witness to the pathetic condition of parks in the city. At several places people are just not allowed to enter the parks." He adds, "In Secunderabad, the parks opposite Garden restaurant and the one next to St John's Church are out of bounds for people."

The parks are divided into Colony Parks, Tree parks, Traffic islands and Central media in an area of 694.4 acres. "The incident which happened recently took place in a private park. Regarding GHMC we are taking care for safety of people," says V Ram Mohan, Director, Urban Biodiversity Wing, GHMC. "The incident was a bad incident, but parents should also take care regarding their children activities," says N Srinivas, a visitor at JVR Park.

Ram Mohan further adds: "We have already given a notice regarding the development of parks, because of the election code the process was a bit late. I can assure the notification of bidding tenders will be given in a short period of time."

"This park is maintained by HUDA. There are nearly 15 members of workers including me for maintenance of park. We are trying our level best for the convenience of the visitors," says Narsimha Rao, watchman of NGO's Colony Park in Vanasthalipuram. "The dust bins in the park are getting filled and overflowing and are even broken and even the parking space provided is very less in area. If these are rectified, there is no problem," says Rajendra, a morning walker in Priyadarshini Park at Saroor Nagar.

"The number of benches in the park should be increased. In the evening times, the flow of visitors is increased when compared to the last year. So, the respective officials should keep that in mind" says Jhansi B, a House wife.