‘YSR-VUDA park will be eco-friendly’

Water, energy conservation will get priority, says Vice-Chairman of VUDA N. Yuvaraj

The YSR-VUDA Central Park, on the old Central Jail premises, will definitely be an eco-friendly centre with a global image, Vice-Chairman of VUDA N. Yuvaraj said here on Saturday.

He was interacting with the Convener of Forum for Better Visakha and former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma, president of Prajaspandana and former Planning Commission official C.S. Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University K.V. Ramana, former Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University V. Balamohan Das and B.L. Narayana of the People’s Forum on the development of the park. Dr. Yuvaraj assured them that the High Court instructions would be followed in the implementation of the development activities.

Top priority

“Environment issue will get priority, apart from maintaining the existing trees within the park and recording the history of each tree.

All utilities and amenities in the park would be a contribution to support environmental development. Strategic plans for water conservation and energy conservation will be added to make the park not only a visiting place but also an educational centre,” he said.

Mr. Sarma suggested preparing an inventory of trees in the park and taking up plantation soon as the monsoon will arrive soon, to add more greenery.

Commercial activities should not be allowed inside the park as they would turn the face of the park, he said.

Selected species of plants should be planted to keeping water scarcity in view and the park should remain an environmental asset to the people of Visakhapatnam, Mr. Sarma felt while opposing any commercial activity inside the park.

Mr. C.S. Rao suggested growing of neem trees for generating rich oxygen and also to mitigate pollution in the surrounding areas. Prof. Balamohan Das wanted proper lighting in the park and user-friendly amenities for the disabled and senior citizens.

Prof. Ramana and Mr. Narayana made suggestions for making the park prestigious for the city.

VUDA Chief Engineer I. Viswanatha Rao, DFO S. Rammohan, Executive Engineer V. Bhavani Shankar and Electrical Deputy EE B. Somasekhar and others officials participated.