Children enjoy newly installed rides at Sarangadhar Das Children’s Park at Jhola Sahi, Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Aug. 3: Swing times are back at Sarangadhar Das Children’s Park in Jhola Sahi and children living nearby couldn’t be happier.

New swings and joyrides that were lying defunct have been fixed and the smiles are back on the faces of kids.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s move to repair the park’s infrastructure has come after a long time. Not too long ago, damaged rides and swings had made guardians reluctant to bring their wards to the park.

“Earlier, my parents were reluctant to take us to the neighbourhood park as the rides and swings at the park were damaged. But a couple of days ago, new rides were installed at the park,” said Swati Sahu, a Class V student.

A footpath too has also been developed inside the park and steps will be taken to plant ornamental saplings. The corporation will also take other beautification measures.

It is after a gap of almost three years that the engineering wing of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has taken measures for the all around development of the children’s park that was established in 1993.

“Rs 3.5 lakh has already been spent towards installation of new rides for children and another Rs 1.5 lakh will be sanctioned for restoration of the water fountain at the park that is also damaged,” said local councillor Laxmidhar Pradhan.

Pradhan said the work for the beautification of the park was likely to be completed within a month.

The last time the CMC authorities had taken measures for the renovation of the park was back in 2003. However, hardly anybody visited the park, which lacked basic facilities for children. Some local children used to play cricket and badminton here.

However, local residents have alleged that a lot needs to be done as far as maintaining sanitation at the park was concerned.

“There is no dustbin inside the park. Where will visitors throw garbage? The park is littered with polythene and other garbage,” said Kedarnath Swain, a local resident.

Swain said many local residents had made a habit of throwing their household waste into the park and this, he said, needed to be checked. There is no bench or any kind of seating arrangements so that senior citizens, who often visit the park in the evening, can sit and relax. It also lacks drinking water facilities and lights.

Corporation officials said measures would be taken towards development of the children’s park and other parks in the city.