The Green Park established by Tiruchi Corporation in 2013 with a grant of ₹1 crore from the State government and funds raised from residents to the tune of ₹50 lakh is in a pitiable condition.
The park, which was opened in 2016, was built on 22 acres of land in Panchapur, five km away from the city on Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway near the banks of the Koraiyar.
Once a popular hangout spot for locals, this park has been left in ruins due to poor maintenance. The number of visitors has dropped, said a resident.
Vast areas of the park present a picture of overgrown invasive weeds. Absence of a security perimeter, lack of lighting and rough walkways add to the inconvenience of visitors.
The swings and slides have fallen apart at the Panchapur Green park in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: M. SRINATH
“Before the pandemic, people visited the park during weekends. There was also the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ section, which was a huge hit among the visitors. Negligence and poor maintenance over the years have kept them away,” a resident recalled, adding that the only saving grace is the sustained utility of the bicycle track.
In a petition submitted to the Corporation, K. Chandrasekar, district president of the BJP's arts and culture cell, has requested the civic body to take efforts to refurbish and revive the park.
The petition submitted to M. Anbazhagan, Mayor of Tiruchi, contains demand for renovation of the park’s landscape, illumination, and revamp of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’; restoration of high mast lights, open gym; provision of amenities such as drinking water and toilets; start of Aavin milk parlour; rectification of walkways, amphitheatre, and children’s play equipment; and activation of the meditation hall, and information centre.
Apart from being a leisure hangout, the park is bound to provide a much-needed ecological balance in Panjapur area, which is home to the Corporation's enormous sewage treatment plant, Mr. Chandrasekar said.
