The huge response to the 5K Run organised by the city police early this month has kicked off a debate on the need for public parks in the old city.
In fact the good turnout at the event acknowledged the growing awareness on health among the masses. At the same time it brought into focus lack of avenues where citizens can go for a morning walk.
Many complain that while public have started acknowledging the role of morning walks to stay healthy, authorities still seem to be in a slumber with hardly any plans to provide public parks in this part of the south of city.
“People across the city go to parks for a walk but the public here are forced to make use of thoroughfares. Even though it involves risk of accidents,” complains MBT leader Amjedullah Khan.
A classic case is the Charminar to Barkas road stretch, unmindful of heavy traffic flow hundreds of morning walkers utilise the roadsides for their morning walk. Similar scene is also witnessed at Gulzar Houz – Yakutpura stretch, Kalapather road, Chandulal Baradari road, the Bahadurpura to Mir Alam Eidgah road and the Inner Ring road.
“As there is no other alternative we are forced to utilise the roads. If we want to get the perfect ambience for a morning work we need to go to some other park elsewhere in the city,” says Shaik Abdul Jilaani, a businessman from Falaknuma.
Mohd Turab, executive secretary, COVA an old city-based organisation says, the colony parks have shrunk over a period of time as authorities constructed community halls and other buildings. “What the old city acutely needs is a bigger park or at least dedicated walkways. People have now become health conscious and it is high time the authorities look into these aspects.”
He explains that there are vast parcels of government land in Bandlaguda mandal and a big park can be developed after identifying suitable place.
*Unmindful of heavy traffic flow hundreds of morning walkers utilise the roadsides for their morning walk such as the Charminar to Barkas road stretch
*If we want perfect ambience for a morning work we need to go to some other park elsewhere in the city: Shaik Abdul Jilaani, businessman from Falaknuma
*Colony parks have shrunk over a period of time as authorities constructed community halls and other buildings, says Mohd Turab, executive secretary of COVA
*Walking tracts suggested around the hillocks of Falaknuma Palace, Gurram Cheruvu and Palle Cheruvu at Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma Palace and Gurram Cheruvu at Chandrayangutta.
