Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inspects the Eco Park in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, May 18: Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today visited the Eco Park in the capital after receiving several complaints regarding nauseating stench emanating from an open drain in the showpiece green patch. After taking stock of the situation, he said a sewage treatment plant would be built in the park to address the problem.

After inspecting the drain, Modi told reporters that the officials of the forest and the urban development department had suggested a number of ways to fix the issue of sewage and storm water drain. “First, there was a suggestion to cover the drain. But it proved to be non-feasible because it would have made the cleaning of the drain a cumbersome task. Now, the officials have proposed to set up a sewage treatment plant in one corner of the park,” Modi said.

The estimate of the proposal would be chalked out soon. Thereafter, the work would start.

“The sewage treatment plant would not disturb the natural flow of the drain but solve the problem of stench,” Modi said.

The big drain flowing from the southern end of the park splits the green patch into two parts. They are connected through a subway.

The forest department developed the theme park spending around Rs 10 crore. It is drawing huge crowd and morning-walkers after its inauguration last year. Rs 2 lakh was collected from the sale of tickets in April this year.

The deputy chief minister said efforts were being made to provide better facilities to the visitors at the park.

“In the next few months, we will try to do extensive planting in the park. Also, the subway, which is unique in the state, will be given a facelift. Lighting arrangements would also be made,” Modi said.

The deputy chief minister, accompanied by a battery of officials from the forest and urban development departments and Patna Municipal Corporation to the park, said a committee would be formed under the chairmanship of the district magistrate in Patna to suggest how newly created or renovated parks should be maintained.

“Private agencies are developing the parks for us but they are not interested in their upkeep and maintenance as it is not very lucrative financially. So, we have decided to form the committee to look into how the parks, which are coming up in a good number, should be maintained properly,” Modi said.

He also said a policy for maintenance of parks would be framed soon.

“Earning revenue through advertisement posters or billboards is not a viable idea as it will decrease the aesthetic value of the parks. So, we have to find better ways to invite agencies for maintenance and upkeep of the green patches in the city.”

Modi announced that morning-walkers would have to buy tickets or passes to enter Sanjay Gandhi Zoological Park from July 1.

“The National Bird Authority wanted to ban morning-walkers completely in the zoo. But we are not in its favour. So, we are introducing entry fee. It is a measure to control the crowd. At present, about 3,000 people go there for morning walk. We expect the figure would be half once the entry fee is charged,” Modi said.

The deputy chief minister said a team of forest officials would be sent to places like Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat, where there are several theme-based parks. “After visiting the parks in those states, our officers will develop the Eco Park further,” he said.