Patna, May 4: The vanishing greens from the city have prompted the authorities to renovate five parks in and around the state capital.

The urban development and housing department has given the responsibility to renovate five parks in and around Patna to Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo).

Veer Kuer Singh Park, earlier referred to as Hardinge Park, would be developed at an approximate cost of Rs 34 crore. The theme of the park would be in memory of freedom fighters. A statue of famous freedom fighter Veer Kuer Singh is already placed near the R-Block.

Senior officials from BUIDCo said the detailed project report (DPR) for the park would be finalised and the corporation would float tenders for the same. The deadline for the project has not yet been finalised.

Another project, also in its initial stages, is Noorani Bagh B-Block, spread across 2,400sqft in the Alamganj area of Patna City. Sources said the DPR for this project would be ready by May 15. The project cost would be Rs 72 lakh approximately.

A senior official associated with the project said since both Hindus and Muslims stay in the area, the theme of the project would be maintained accordingly. Besides a playground for children, the corporation is also planning to provide a shelter for senior citizens.

Apart from sufficient green cover, the park would have water fountains and jogging track with decorative lights. Project officers said for the first six months, the park would be maintained by the project contractor and later, the corporation may request Sudha Dairy outlet to maintain the park and in return, no rent would be charged from them. The theme of this park would be greenery. Officials said if everything goes according to schedule, the project should complete before January 2012.

BUIDCo is also looking after the development of Kankerbagh Park at Sachivalay Colony, spread over 65,000sqft. At present, the area is referred to as Sachivalay field. After finalisation of the DPR, the tender has been awarded to Jai Mata Di Road Construction Private Limited. The project would be approximately Rs 65 lakh. BUIDCo officials said the development work would start within a fortnight and it is would be completed by September this year. Made on the theme of green park, this park would also have a jogging track, decorative lights, fountains apart from a sufficient green cover.

Another park in the pocket of BUIDCo is Shashtri Nagar Park, near AIDS Control Society building of the state health department. The tender for developing this park has also been awarded to Jai Mata Di Road Construction Private Limited for an outlay of Rs 85 lakh and the development of this park is to be completed by October this year.

The development of Anisabad Park is at present in a limbo, as the land is embroiled in a land-dispute case. Senior officials of BUIDCo said, earlier the urban development and housing department allotted the land to BUIDCo for the development of a park, but later a case was lodged in Patna High Court by DAV School and police colony, over land dispute.

“Veer Kuer Singh Park is devoted to the memory of freedom fighters. The other parks would provide green patches and space for recreation. There are a total of 55 such parks with the department, for which various agencies, including Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited, BUIDCo, look after the development,” said D.K. Shukla, special secretary of the urban development and housing department.

Residents are happy over the development work initiated, but are at the same time sceptical about the maintenance and security arrangements after their development.

“I hope the development of these parks provide some long-lasting solutions. Earlier, several parks in the city had been developed but many of them are in a pathetic condition, as they were not maintained. I hope public money would not be wasted over again in the name of development and re-development of the parks,” said Amit Kumar, a resident of Shashtri Nagar.