Morning walk at Hitex is going to cost you

Hitec City: The peace and quiet a morning walker enjoys is abundant at the Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Ltd (HITEX) Exhibition Grounds. In a major blow to the solitude health enthusiasts enjoy here, the management is now charging Rs 500 a month for a ‘pass’ to enter the premises for walking or jogging.

Highlights:

• Walking costs a minimum of `500
• Joggers are seen between 5am and 8am
• Visitors not allowed to create nuisance on the grounds
• Walking pass holders should business of Hitexnot cause hindrance to
• Pets are not allowed on property
• Walking pass is renewable on a monthly basis

What was once free for years now, the Hitex grounds received major international exposure following the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which was held here in November this year. In the wake of the many eyes on the premises, the management said that they need to take precautions to keep the grounds clean and well-maintained.

A regular morning walker at Hitex, S Rakesh shared with CityLife, “A few people keep plucking flowers and after GES, HITEX got a new look and the management wants to keep the place clean. Incidents were also seen where a few people would misbehave with their co-walker like bullying and teasing them.

It could be why they are charging the amount to keep the place safe. Although there are security guards here, they are stationed at the entrances and it is a shame if the peaceful atmosphere is disturbed for walkers.”

Meanwhile, another jogger is not too happy with the decision. G Swapna, a regular jogger at Hitex said, “It is difficult to pay Rs 500 and it is an additional burden on us.

I hope the government will set up some better parks in every area so that we don’t have to opt for private spaces for our daily dose of 20 healthy minutes. It’s a shame as most parks in the city are dominated by couples indulging in romance in the open, which makes it difficult for us to enter these parks.”

Negating claims of bullying and teasing and sharing the management’s point of view, P Sahoo a security guard at Hitex said, “The 2-km stretch is quite popular among joggers, especially from 5am to 8am. It is a private property and the management is charging Rs 500 now. However, they might increase the amount from 2018.

For now, since there are a few days left for the month to end, they are charging Rs 250 per head. An ID is issued for walking and jogging, and members can enjoy the premises without any disruptions.”

Further, he said that when the entry was for free, many people visited for walking purposes. “However, now only 15 to 20 people are coming here. Green Ko took this for lease and the instruction has been changed; earlier the property was under Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The passes once given are non-transferrable,” he said.