For the second time, children in Nandanam Extension have lost their playground to civic work.
Three years ago, they bid goodbye to it as a result of the construction of a storm water drain. Now, it’s road laying work. On the earlier occasion and now, the playground, spread over 10 grounds, has been used to set up offices for contractors and temporary accommodation for workers. . All construction material and debris would be dumped on the playground.
“After a hard fight, we got the stormwater drain contractors removed from the playground. We got the ground levelled, removed a septic tank from here and children were once again playing here. But, six weeks ago, out of the blue, the ground was taken away from us again. We learnt that the ‘takeover’ was the result of a road-laying work,” says Ganapathy, a long-time resident of the area.
Heaps of asphalt material scrapped from road surfaces in and around the neighbourhood was dumped on the ground overnight.
“It was a gradual takeover. First a portion of the land was being used and within days, the entire playground started resembling a demolition site. They are re-laying Chamiers Road. I think the debris is from there,” says Ravi, another resident.
The playground was once a landmark for residents. “The land belonged to the residents’ association. We gave it to Corporation to maintain it as a playground. The roads adjacent to it were named Playground View Roads. But, this is the not the view we wanted,” says Durga Krishnamoorthy, one of the early settlers in this area. Apart from being a recreation space for children, the playground was used by neighbourhood schools to conduct their sports day events and karate training. “The Ladies’ Association used to conduct ring tennis and ball badminton competitions. On Independence and Republic Day, flag hoisting would take place. Had our association been active we could have fought this problem together,” add Sharada and Durga, members of the now defunct association.
P. Usha, Ward 122 Counciloor, says she has not received any complains regarding the issue. “I will speak to the officials and get the needful done.”
