Developed on the foothills of Kailasagiri Hills, the VUDA Health Arena has turned into a popular rendezvous for health freaks as well as tourists thronging the city for its impressive landscaping and magnificent grandeur.
On one side, the sea provides cool breeze and on the other, the highway gives easy access to the park for residents of Adarshnagar, Visalakshinagar and Venkojipalem. It also has an entry point from the posh MVP Colony in addition to Kailsagiri and Hanumanthavaka junctions. The park developed on nature’s lap is open to the public from 4.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
It registers a footfall of 3,000 to 4,000 on working days and 6,000 to 8,000 during weekend. For children also it is a favourite destination as it has a dedicated track for cycling. For joggers and walkers, it has a separate track, making it the only park in the city with a long track (both ways) of 3.7 km.
The Health Arena was inaugurated in January 2016. It was developed by VUDA by spending nearly ₹8 crore. Buddha Vanam with a 31-foot Buddha statue raised on a three-foot pedestal is the main attraction for the tourists coming from all over the world.
Immediately after its inauguration, the park witnessed massive digging operation for laying underground cables from the Dairy Farm to Peda Waltair sub-stations under the 132 kV cabling project, undertaken for the first time by A.P. Transco. Keeping in view the bitter experiences of Cyclone Hudhud, when power supply went off for over a week, the underground cables are expected to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Transco is affixing one joint box for a distance of 500 metres.
Admitting that the work is progressing slowly, SE in-charge of the project Krishna Mohan told The Hindu that as a part of the first phase, they were connecting sub-stations from both sides with underground cables. The procurement of additional cables from Switzerland was delaying the work, he said and added that they would complete it in a few months.
The issue has been agitating the health freaks for whom the Health Arena who have turned it into their regular venue for workouts and walking abandoning the VUDA and Sivaji parks.
Long stretch for walking and cycling
Walkers admit that this is the only park in the city which has a long stretch for walking and cycling for which there is a dedicated track. They are, however, upset over the shabby condition of washrooms.
The Buddha Vanam also attracts several women and senior citizens for meditation. Many visit the imposing statue area for yoga, suryanamaskar and laughing exercise.
Ever since the park was opened, the visitors have been complaining of snakes coming in their way due to delay in trimming the bushes and branches of trees. At one point of time, VUDA had mooted levying entry fee for all, including walkers, but it was kept in abeyance following public resistance.
The recent inauguration of an ultra modern gym with facilities for regular workouts and aerobics has attracted more people to the park.
Stray dogs are finding their way into the park creating panic among early morning and late evening walkers. “We appeal to the authorities not to make the Health Arena a home for stray dogs as it will put our life in risk,” said Suneetha Naidu, a housewife and a regular walker.
