How has the Coimbatore Corporation developed the park in Krishna Garden, Ward 62?
Pose this question to the Ward's residents. Without second thoughts their answer will be uniform: that the civic body has ignored the facility, shirked its responsibility of maintaining the lights there, let shrubs grow and reptiles invade the place.
The result: visitors' movement remains curtailed.
Resident M. Balasubramaniam takes his son to the park but restricts his movement. “I ensure that he is not far away from me, does not venture beyond the small play area. For, snakes and reptiles take over the park in the evenings.”
The play area he is talking about is two sand-filled rectangles with swings, slide and half-a-dozen pews on both sides of the main entrance. Other than the play area, the park has a walkway that runs along the periphery on the inside of the one-and-half acre plot. The other reason that Mr. Balasubramaniam, a regular to the park, does not let his child venture out is the absence of lights. He says that how many lights glow is a subject matter of probability.
Resident S. Muniraj has a similar complaint. Walkers in the mornings also face threat from the reptiles, which have a free access to the park from the neighbouring reserved site that is full of bushes. “A couple of days ago the residents had to run for safety, thanks to snakes.”
Ward 62 Councillor S. Balan says that reserve site-turned park has remained in such a state of neglect since the Corporation spent Rs. 25 lakh towards construction of a compound in 2010.
Mere construction of a compound will not turn it into a park, he says and wants the civic body to develop the place in a manner that befits the description of park.
The Corporation should plant ornamental plants, saplings of trees, provide fountains and more play equipment for children. It should also landscape the entire one-and-half acre, say the two residents. Mr. Balan says he has raised the issue in the Council meeting and the Mayor has promised to look into the issue.
Sources in the civic body say that following instructions, they have ordered conservancy workers to clear the bush at the earliest.
