Deen Dayal Upadhaya Park in Bhubaneswar lies in a bad shape. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 9: Deen Dayal Park near Ram Mandir Square, which was built by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) more than a decade ago, now wears an abandoned look. While a road expansion project has consumed one of its boundary walls, growth of weeds, hoardings and shops have completely changed the face of the landscape.

In October 2000, a life-sized statue of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, one of the founding members of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik when the relationship between Biju Janata Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party was at its best. However, with the relationship between the two political allies turning sour, the park gradually lost its sheen, local residents said.

Local councillor of ward No. 44, Lala Ashok Kumar Ray, has already written a letter to the BDA vice-chairman. “I have written the letter on behalf of the local residents as the beautiful landmark has been transformed into a garbage dumping yard-like surrounding. We have even received complaints that BDA authorities have taken away the iron grills fitted on the side of the park.

“After the demolition of one of the facades of the park by the public works department (PWD) for a road expansion project, they never bothered to reconstruct the structure,” Ray said.

Local resident Rajkishore Dash felt that the authorities could have been planned a continuous style of walling for the park just like the newly made decorations on the Ram Mandir wall.

“PWD members should coordinate with the BDA so that the park is revived again,” Dash said.

“The environment of the entire park is now disturbed. While many shops have come up inside it, hoardings have also appeared, putting the park in a bad shape. The authorities should also take up the reconstruction measures urgently,” said the BMC councillor.

The BDA authorities admitted that the park might have a restructuring plan just before the 99th Indian Science Congress, which the city is going to host from January 3 to 7 next year.

“As thousands of delegates will be visiting the city during that period, the state government has decided to revamp all public places. Therefore, the Deen Dayal Park may get a new look,” they said.