Lumbini Park at Sanna Kere in the heart of Yadgir is a picture of neglect.
There were plans to introduce boat riding, food court and an exhibition hall at the park when it was inaugurated in November last. A boat purchased by the Tourism Department lies unused and food court and exhibition hall are yet to be set up.
The authorities could not introduce boat riding as the lake dried up completely owing to drought. “The tourism officials should take care of the boat to ensure that it could be utilised at an appropriate time,” a local resident said.
Saplings planted at the park dried up owing to lack of maintenance. A full-fledged garden was proposed to be built on two acres of the nine acre area at a cost of Rs. 2 crore. The district administration had entrusted the work to Nirmiti Kendra.
The departments of Tourism and Kannada and Culture have been organising cultural programmes at the park on Sundays and charging Rs. 5 per visitor. “No other facilities are being extended to the visitors,” Reshma, a student, said.
Most of the visitors are throwing plastic bags, unused paper plates and other things in the open as there is lack of awareness among the people about the need to keep the park clean. There is no one to take care of the maintenance of the park too.
Baby Moger, Assistant Director of Tourism, told The Hindu that there was no place to keep the boat. “I will discuss the issue with the Deputy Commissioner,” she said. Sources claimed that of the three borewells drilled in the area to meet the drinking water demands, one was connected to a reverse osmosis plant and rest were used for watering trees. “The remaining services will be introduced after the lake gets sufficient water during monsoon,” they added.
