Work is under way for the beautification of Gandhi Maidan. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, April 28: Organisers of political parties have to search for a new venue for their events these days. Reason: the district administration has forbidden them from using the sprawling Gandhi Maidan which is undergoing “beautification”.

Sources said the beautification project has to be completed before the arrival of rain.

District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh said: “The beautification of Gandhi Maidan will be completed before the monsoon arrived. The district administration along with the building construction department is working together to complete the work on time. The most important concern with the maidan is levelling the soil.”

Sources said no maintenance work has been done at the Gandhi Maidan, spreadover 62 acres, in a long time. As a result, it is now full of potholes. Water logging is another problem that is aggravated because of the choking of its drainage system.

On being asked about the kind of changes that will be made in the Gandhi Maidan, the DM said: “New benches will be put up in the place of old and broken ones, so morning walkers can rest on them after jogging. Planting of new shoots is another measures that we are working on. Lighting system will also be developed in the maidan. The administration is determined to develop Gandhi Maidan into a model park. A number of measures have been taken to reach this goal.”

Describing the security measures to be employed, Singh said: “We want to create such an atmosphere that every visitor to Gandhi Maidan feels safe. That’s the reason the administration will be very strict with violators of rules and punitive action will be taken against them.”

“A zone would be earmarked for senior citizens on the ground. A separate park is being constructed for children,” said Singh.

Sources said Gandhi Maidan had become less of a public park and more of a fair ground. It was also the prime choice for political rallies. Many regular morning walkers feel that renting the Gandhi Maidan to organise fairs and holding rallies contributes to the filth strewn in the field.

Sabzibag resident Yogesh Singh, a regular morning walker, said: “Renting Gandhi Maidan generates revenue for the district. But the money is not enough to even maintain and upkeep the facility. Now that the administration is serious about the maidan’s beautification, it must, first of all, deploy security guards to prevent visitors from plucking flowers or littering the area with peanut shells.”

Bakarganj resident Amrish Kumar, another visitor to the maidan, expressed doubt on the beautification project of Gandhi Maidan.

He said: “Let’s see, if the work is completed in time. I have my doubts about it. But in case it is completed on time, it will certainly be the best achievement of the district magistrate.”