Abandoned plot turns amphitheatre

Secunderabad: It was an abandoned GHMC plot strewn with garbage and urchins in the vicinity making it their abode. This was in June. Today, the place at Balaji Hills, Boduppal resembles an amphitheatre with six steps, a performing area and an alluring wall decked with paintings of kids.

The space was turned into a place for residents to relax, play and also conduct cultural events, courtesy the students of Sri Venkateshwara College of Architecture who as part of a project zeroed in on this vacant space.

Speaking to The Hans India, Prof Kalpana Manchali, Principal of the college said, “About 50 students who were taking part in a nationwide competition to develop public spaces came to know about this area and developed it under the guidance of Prof Hari Krishna.”

Convincing locals and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) was not easy, but the perseverance of the students paid off as residents of the colony agreed and the GHMC too gave its approval once the authorities realised that it was for a common good. What started in the month of June, the project was completed and was inaugurated on August 24, 2017.

The design of the amphitheatre evolved from inputs from the community, understanding of other public spaces and experimentation. It cost Rs 2 lakh, the students, community and the college chipped in. Residents fondly call it kottha park, roughly translated meaning; new park.

In the evenings, one can find children play and run about over the steps and women chatting away in a clean and serene environment which just a few months back was almost inconceivable.