August 22, 2016
Withered trees, badly maintained lights and water connections greet anybody who come to the senior citizen’s park near the Nehru Stadium here. The trees planted in the names of Corporation Commissioner Dr. Vijaya Karthikeyan and his predecessor Anshul Mishra are no exception. They too have withered and have been left to decay.
If this is the condition of the trees named after the top Corporation officials, one can imagine the condition of other trees planted by ordinary citizens.
Notably, India’s First Field Marshal late, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw had also planted a sapling in the park in the memory of the Kargil war heroes.
The park that was renovated and developed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs in the year 2011 has not been taken care properly by the Corporation. An open theatre was also planned inside the park to screen old movies then.
More than 250 saplings were donated by the people (by paying Rs. 500) in memory of their loved ones between 1994 and 2011. Unfortunately the state in which the trees are in now bring tears in the eyes of the donors and nature lovers.
According to city-based activist A. Manoj, apart from the poor maintenance of trees, lights and drinking water too are an issue.
“Most of the lights in the park do not work and senior citizens are forced to walk in dark. The drinking water machine and fountain too do not work. Many illegal and unlawful activities take place after sunset,” he added.
According to sources, the Corporation had planned to set up a committee comprising senior citizens. However the plan still lies on paper.
“We are happy that there is an exclusive park for senior citizens. But how can we use it if is in such a bad shape,” asked S. Samba Sivam, a septuagenarian.
When contacted, Corporation Commissioner K. Vijaya Karthikeyan said he would take necessary steps in improve things in the park.