A year-old selfie-point park at VIP road has become victim of neglect. The park which once attracted good number of visitors today stand in sorry state with filth around, drying plants, broken pipeline and sans basic equipment for upkeep. Most importantly the park, developed at an area around one acre is facing shortage of hands. The park has staff of three including gardener and to security guard and they are the one who are responsible for the maintenance as well as security.
The CCTV cameras essential for the safety of visitors and also to ensure protection of the garden equipment are also non-functional. And what had stopped the authorities to put gates at two entries of the park is beyond understanding Sans gates, the park remain ‘open’ round the clock welcoming the visitors.
The staff at park has brought to notice of seniors the dire straits the park is in, but the authorities have turned a deaf ear.
The park was developed by Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC)at cost of around Rs 80 lakh. It was inaugurated by the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan a year ago.
The authorities are yet to issue identity card to the guards and this is hindering them from performing their duties. The visitors coming to the park do not take them seriously when they stop them from entering late hours or flouting rule, said one of the guards pleading anonymity. We have requested Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities to issue us identity card as it will help us to perform out duty more authoritatively, said one.
Since there are no gates, people even come to park late night after the visiting hours and when we try to stop them they argue and even threaten us. Late night, the park lights are switched off and taking advantage of darkness, several people enters the garden and stay up late.
The staff said they have apprised the authorities of the broken pipeline because of which it has become difficult to water the plants. In the application we have also sought tools needed to maintain the grass.
The staffers also decried that they were not being paid regularly and for the same they have written applications to the authorities.
Rajesh Rathore,
BMC additional commissioner has assured to fix the lacunae at the par at the earliest. Gates will be installed at the two entries of the park and no one will be allowed to enter park after visiting hours, said the official.