Prolonged delay in developing an OSR land into a play area by the Corporation has forced the residents of The Nest, an apartment complex at Rathna Nagar, Teynampet to create the facility by themselves. The OSR land is located adjacent to the apartment complex; residents has made several representations over a decade to ensure it was put to its intended use, but in vain. Last June, the residents of the apartment complex pooled in money and developed the public property into a play area.
“With the permission of the Corporation, we have created two basketball courts, one football court and a cricket net. Now, children from other localities also come here and play,” says Meera Srikanth, a resident. “We have a park at our apartment complex where children below 10 years of age can play. But there is no facility for bigger children who would want to play outdoor games. So, we came forward and created the play area,” says Kala Murthi, vice-president, The Nest Apartments Association.
According to The Nest Apartments Association, the Corporation’s (Zone 9) property which measures approximately two grounds was in a state of neglect all these years. Garbage and all kinds of waste were dumped on the OSR land. Residents are uncertain about how the upcoming facility will be maintained. Their major concern is dumping of garbage. They pointed out that most of the houses and apartments surrounding the OSR property have been rented out as guest houses. The tenants are predominantly patients visiting a private hospital located in the neighbourhood. They dump garbage and many types of medical waste on the OSR land, said the residents.
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“Even if we could get the OSR land developed, our main challenge would be putting an end to the dumping of garbage. The tenants are not permanent residents. So, it makes it even more difficult for us to take up the issue,” says K. Namagiri, president of the Association. According to residents, the Corporation is now repairing the play equipment that got damaged during the cyclone Vardah. It is also creating a proper entrance, for the public to access the facility. At present, if outsiders need to enter it, they have to come through the premises of the apartment. The Corporation will be planting tree saplings to restore the green cover.
“A gate should be erected and it has to be kept locked at night, as the place is used by tipplers to consume alcohol. I also suggest that a compost pit be created at the facility,” says Usha Ramakrishnan, a resident.