It could well be the longest illegal parking zone

November 20, 2014 10:54 pm | Updated June 07, 2016 09:02 am IST - HYDERABAD:

The driver of a Government Vehicle attached to the Excise Department takes care of the pet, outside the KBR Park in Hyderabad on Monday as the boss was on a stroll inside the park. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

The driver of a Government Vehicle attached to the Excise Department takes care of the pet, outside the KBR Park in Hyderabad on Monday as the boss was on a stroll inside the park. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

If there is one stretch that can be officially designated the longest illegal parking zone, it has to be the KBR Park Road in Banjara Hills Hundreds of swanky cars – even official vehicles – are parked on the main road in the mornings and evenings, without any action from the concerned authorities.

Daily squatters outside the park has kept increasing with time, not just spoiling the confines of the park, but also making the surroundings more chaotic.

No surveillance If the Traffic Department has failed to attend to the issue, the local police too have never felt the need to have an outpost, or a continuous surveillance on this stretch. This is the situation, despite the fact that the rich and influential frequent the park almost on a daily basis, and there have been incidents of petty crimes in the past.

“I personally know of two walkers whose cars were either broken into or damaged. There was also a case of attempted chain snatching. We had informally complained to the police to increase patrolling during mornings and evenings but to no avail,” said a regular walker.

Cars permitted Sometimes, one can see government vehicles bullying their way inside the park premises, despite it being a protected national park.

“The cars are not supposed to enter the park, but some of the walkers with government cars drop names and get inside,” said one of the guards of the forest, who expressed his helplessness.

In the past, many environmentalists have vocally supported a ban on walkers inside the park. However, the 400-acre KBR Park is a peculiar example wherein visitors are allowed inside as per a Supreme Court ruling!

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