A park on 48th Street in Ashok Nagar, deserted for years due to the ongoing Metrorail work, is once again getting ready to welcome visitors.
With construction material and debris dumped in its premises, the park was rendered unusable. With the Metrorail work on this section having been completed, the park is now being restored.
The Chennai Corporation has begun the reconstruction of the park by installing a raft of facilities, including a granite footpath, a children’s play area, a fountain, pillars closed with grills for safety and ample lighting arrangements for the convenience of women and senior citizens.
The civic body is reportedly spending nearly Rs. 40 lakh to remodel the park and is likely to spend even more to make it more useful to the public. One of the Corporation officials said that the Ashok Nagar people should be thanked for how patiently they bore the inconvenience caused by the Metrorail work, which included losing the park for several years.
The official further said that a totally remodelled park with added facilities in three months would be the reward for their cooperation. V. Rajalakshmi, a resident, said, “Earlier, we avoided the park for the fear of reptiles. I would walk all the way to Sivan Park, K.K. Nagar, thrice a week. As this routine got strenuous for me, I stopped going for a walk. And then I chose Corporation Park on Ambedkar Road. As this park lacked proper lighting and was notorious for antisocial activities, I stopped stopped going there too. Now, I am extremely delighted to know that this park would be open for public soon.”
M. Ganesan, a resident, said, “The temporary loss of the park due to Metrorail work had been a blessing in disguise. Earlier, the park did not have many facilities. Now, with this remodelling work, more features are being added to it.”
