Bhubaneswar, Dec. 5: Residents have demanded closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at Biju Patnaik Park's entry and exit gates, especially after the area started seeing a spurt in two-wheeler thefts.
"I have been going to the park for the past three years. Of late, instances of motorcycle thefts have been reported and it has emerged as a cause for concern for the visitors," Snehil Patra, 35, government employee and resident of Forest Park said.
On an average, around two to three motorcycles are stolen from the park every month, president of the Forest Park Morning Walkers' Welfare Association Durga Charan Dash, 72, said.
"Theft of bicycles is rampant here," he said.
Besides, the morning walkers have also sought early completion of construction of concrete platforms beneath the benches and cycling track.
The development works undertaken by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) have been hanging fire for the past six months.
The area around the benches at the park has been dug up and the resting sheds for the visitors are being used to store construction materials.
"The sheds are used by people to sit and chat in the morning and evening. The ongoing construction work is creating a lot of problem for the people," said Niranjan Pradhan, 72, retired engineer and resident of Unit-I.
"It is a great place to exercise. Therefore the authorities should see that it is safe and fit for use," Pradhan said.
Dash said the association had recently informed the BDA regarding theft of two-wheelers and bicycles from the park.
"Besides, we have also urged the BDA to give us the details about the development projects being undertaken here," he said. Dash said people were afraid to bring their bicycles to the park.
"I recall an incident when former chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra's bicycle was stolen from the park around two years ago," he said.
He added that development works should be undertaken. "But, the authorities should complete them on time and the regulars should also be informed about its progress," Dash said.
BDA secretary Debaraj Senapati said the authority would look into the issues raised by the regulars at the park and morning walkers' association on a priority basis.
"A team would inspect the work being undertaken and take steps to expedite it. Besides, consultations would be held with the association members regarding installation of CCTV cameras at the front and back gate of the park," he said.
Biju Patnaik Park is located in front of Capital Hospital at Unit-VI. A statue of former chief minister Biju Pattnaik was unveiled at the park on March 5, 2002, by his son Naveen and the then Union minister steel and mines Ram Vilas Paswan on the occasion of Biju Patnaik Jayanti. The park covers an area of 22 acres.