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| The completed park at Acharya Vihar and (below) the one under construction at Postal Colony in Unit-IV. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati |
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 16: The municipal corporation will celebrate Local Self-government Day on August 31 by gifting two colonies with a park each.
Residents of Acharya Vihar will get a park with an area of 1,180 square metres, while the Postal Colony park will be of 1,250 square metres.
Corporation environment officer Bikram Keshari Routray said both colony parks would have walking tracks, children’s rides, landscaping and seating arrangements. “The parks will be small, and meant only for the neighbourhood. We have made them compact and included basic amenities. The Acharya Vihar park is ready but the Postal Colony one is still under construction,” Routray said.
Pramod Hembram is councillor of ward No. 24, in which Acharya Vihar falls. He said: “The foundation stone for the park was laid last year on Local Self-government Day and the work has almost been completed. The civic body has invested Rs 21.01 lakh in it. The park will have four rides for children and two benches. Lighting arrangements will also be made.”
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Resident of Acharya Vihar Pinaki Mohanty said the colony park was a necessity and residents, especially senior citizens, would benefit from it. “Most elderly residents have taken up physical exercises to stay fit as preventive care has become a mantra to stay away from ailments. The park will be a welcome addition for them as well as children.”
Sasmita Nanda is councillor of ward No. 35, where Postal Colony in Unit-IV falls. She said: “The construction for the park in Postal Colony is running a little late due to rain but we aim to complete it before the August 31 deadline. The park will cost Rs 12.50 lakh to the civic body.”
The councillor said that while the area of the park will be 1,250 square metres, there would be four rides for children, a walking track, four benches, landscaping and lighting arrangements. Ornamental plants such as araucaria will also be planted.
Ashok Sahu, a resident of Unit-IV, said the colony park in Postal Colony would be a welcome addition to their locality. “Not only will the park help elders in keeping fit, kids too will have a nice time as the only other option — Indira Gandhi Park — is away from the colony.”
A senior engineer of the civic body said work on the Postal Colony park would proceed at breakneck speed. “The excavation has been completed and building materials have arrived. We will definitely complete it on time,” said the local councillor.
The civic body, at present, has 23 parks under its belt. The addition of two new parks will make the tally 25. However, many parks such as Khandia in Unit-III, are yet to be renovated.