Playgrounds turn dump yards

Santosh Nagar/Qalander Nagar: Where are the playgrounds ask locals? In Santosh Nagar technically there are four playgrounds but not a single one is suitable for children to play. With the examinations over, the children in and around Santosh Nagar have nowhere to go and play.

Highlights:

• Playgrounds are used to keep vehicles seized by the police
• Several grounds have been turned into dump yards

In areas such as Phisalbanda, Riyasath Nagar, Qalander Nagar, Santosh Nagar and Edi Bazaar there are only four playgrounds out of which only one can be used but there is a membership clause.

In Qalander Nagar a playground which is near Santosh Nagar police station is full of garbage and seized vehicles are kept. Ravi Kumar a Santosh Nagar colony resident said that a playground is used with the association membership but residents cannot use it as it is locked by the association and is used only to host events during festivals.

Imran, a former hockey player who turned up for Coronation Club says, “The government talks about creating sportspersons and people often ask why India does not produce world-class athletes. Before speaking about state-of-the-art stadiums and equipment it is necessary to make sports a habit and that can happen if we make our playgrounds play worthy.”

Md Ayaz, Qalander Nagar resident said there are two grounds in the area but one is full of garbage and seized vehicles by the police department. In one half of the ground vehicles are kept and the other half is used for Haritha Haram project.The citizens of the Old City have no other option but to play on the main road which results in accidents.

By M M Farooqui