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| Broken riders and slide inside the Rental Colony Park .Telegraph picture |
Bhubaneswar, March 24: Damaged rides, unclean surroundings and lack of water supply is what one encounters at the Rental Colony Park that was set up in 2008.
The park, which came up in the public private partnership (PPP) mode, also lacks a gardener. With neither a gardener there nor any water supply, flowerbeds have disappeared and there is no hope of new ones coming up.
As grown-ups use the other park in the area, the Rental Colony Park is the only one, which can be used by children for the purpose of recreation.
“When the park was set in 2008 we had great expectations. The children were happy that they had finally got a place to play. The elders, too, could go there and relax. But what has happened to the park over the years is beyond imagination. It has gone to rack and ruin,” said Trinath Mohanty, a local resident.
Another local resident, Chittranjan Padhi, looked equally disillusioned. “This could have been a great place to relax. From outside though the place looks attractive, but once you step in you will feel like retreating,” said Padhi.
“With no one to take care of the place, it has become a hangout for petty criminals. Stray animals also gather there in large numbers. Unless the government does something, the place may deteriorate further,” he added.
“The Jeevan Jyoti Yuva Parishad, a local club, and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had joined hands to build the park. It is sad to see the way things have moved over the years. I have drawn the attention of BMC several times but they have given a blind eye,” said Samir Pradhan, local councillor.
Bimbadhar Mohapatra, appeared anguished by the plight of the park.
He said: “I used go there in the afternoons and watch the children playing. The surrounding was pleasant. But things have gone from bad to worse. I only hope that BMC does something to make the place regain its lost glory.”
However, a BMC official clarified that any park coming up in PPP mode can be repaired only with financial contribution from both sides.
“Since nothing is coming from the club, it has become difficult to improve this place,” he added.