Nature lovers and morning walkers in the town can smile for now. Their demands have prompted the administration to set the ball rolling for a facelift to the popular Sandy’s (commonly called Sandish) compound.

The ground, spread across almost 307 bighas, comprises a botanical garden, an outdoor stadium and a big open field in the heart of the town.

The administration has ordered to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to initiate its stepwise development.

The Sandy’s Compound Vikas Samiti, a body of nature lovers and morning walkers, has been trying to attract the district administration’s attention towards the poor condition of the botanical garden, Jai Prakash Narayan Udyan. On Monday, Bhagalpur divisional commissioner Minhaj Alam convened a high-level meeting with senior district officials and members of the samiti to chalk out strategies for promoting development steps for Sandy’s compound.

Alam told reporters: “The process of transferring the compound from the custody of the pubic works department (PWD) to the forest department has been initiated and a no-objection certificate has been obtained from the revenue department for the purpose.”

District magistrate Prem Singh Meena, also present in the meeting, said: “The forest department has been told to prepare a DPR with the building division for proper maintenance and beautification drive at Sandy’s compound.”

The issues of entrance fee to Sandy’s and hiking vehicle parking fee at the compound were also discussed.

Earlier, the samiti members raised issues of drin- king water facility, repairing damaged boundary walls, separating the entrances of stadium, main ground and Jai Prakash Narayan Udyan among others. Alam told the members that fulfilling all their demands would take time. He, however, instructed the superintendent of police, Rajesh Kumar, to arrange adequate security measures at the garden.

Alam said temporary electricity connection had been given to the PWD for maintaining water supply facility, which is disconnected at present.

“Till the process of transfer of Sandy’s compound is not complete, Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation has been asked to ensure power supply for the water facility and clean its premises regularly,” he added.