Kakinada: Parks closed for people, why?

Kakinada: Though cinemas, commercial complexes and others are open, people have to wait too long for the auspicious moment when their entry is permitted in the public parks in East Godavari district.

In view of the closure of the public parks, senior citizens and others are facing a lot of trouble. The senior citizens are unable attend to the morning and evening strolls. They cannot afford walking on the road for lack of safety. Besides walking, many people also do Yoga exercises in view of adequate space and pure air in parks. The children are also deprived of the small games available in the parks. People are criticising the attitude of the municipalities and municipal officials.

Gandhinagar Park, Vivekananda Park, Vidyuth Nagar Park and other parks in Kakinada Municipal Corporation and Kabalatank park, Gandhi Park, Syamalamba park, Municipal park, AB Nageswar Rao parks etc in various places of the Rajamahendravarm Municipal Corporation wore a deserted look owing closure. Because of the non-usage, recreation items in parks getting damaged.

A few months ago the KMC officials opened the parks with restricted timings.

Despite attending online classes, the children are coming outside and playing cricket and other games on open roads. Moreover, the children have been deprived of playground activities all these months due to Covid restrictions. Due to lack of physical activity, they are accustomed to online games.

Kakinada Poura Sankshema Sangam Convenor Dusarlapudi Ramana Raju said that cinema halls, beach, bars, hotels, restaurants and educational institutions are opened with instructions to follow Covid guidelines. He said that the threat of Covid is not applied at the time of opening the mall and theatres but prevented the district authorities from closing the public parks.

He urged District Collector Chevuri Hari Kiran to open the parks in the same line for some time in morning and evening in the district. He stated that the roads are not safe and full of potholes and hence nobody will dare to walk or run as part of exercise. And hence the parks should compulsorily be opened keeping in view of the safety and health of elders as well as children.

The motive behind keeping parks shut, appears to privatise the parks and hence they have locked them from the public utility. He wanted the KMC to abandon their proposal for the sake of the health and utility of the public who are paying taxes to the KMC, he added.

Lions Club Kakinada City President AVD Menta Rao added that when theatres and markets are opened, why they are unable to understand the rationale behind the closure of the public parks. He urged the KMC Commissioner Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar to open public parks for the sake of health.

Kakinada Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Ch Naga Narasimaha Rao told 'The Hans India' that in view of the spike in Covid -19 cases, the parks are not yet thrown open to the public. But after receiving permission from the Collector, they would open the parks for the public utility.

On the other hand, people are condemning the proposal to convert public parks into commercial parks in the Smart City Kakinada. In view of the proliferation of numerous multistory buildings, the loveliness of the backyard has vanished. Even in schools and colleges there are no playgrounds nor even physical exercises at the end of classes. Senior citizens have no gathering place. The modern parks are fulfilling the needs of children as well as senior citizens. Young and old alike utilise parks for morning as well as evening stroll. Particularly, park is a boon for diabetic patients for their walking purpose. Many people of Kakinada would certainly revolt and agitate, if user charges are collected from the visitors of local parks.

Duvvuri Subramanayam, resident Kakinada told 'The Hans India' that unfortunately the Kakinada Municipal Corporation has taken an erroneous, unwise decision in handing the parks to private organisations. In case the parks are managed by the private parties they would certainly demand user charges for maintenance of the parks. It will be a great punishment to the public for spending time in the parks. He also demanded how and in what method the user charges would be collected from the common people? How old people as well as children would spend the evening time, if user charges are collected every day, he asked? Do authorities have answer?