Parks for garbage?

HYDERABAD: In a case of negligence in developing parks for suburban colonies, residents of Chandanagar Colony have blamed both HUDA and GHMC for misusing notified open spaces, and turning them into garbage dumps, rather than parks, as planned initially. The problem arose when the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), alloted four open spaces for development of parks in the colony, one of which was made after converting a small pond into flat land, last year. Though the residents were only supportive of the initiative, the lack of action has had them up in arms. While all the four plots of land were provided with walled boundaries, the actual setting up of a lawn or other features common to a community park are yet to happen. “The setting up of boundaries has helped prevent any form of encroachment. But the main purpose, that of setting up parks, is yet to turn into reality”, said YPR Krishna of ITMD, an NGO working among the people in the area. Of the four parks, the pond turned designated park of 1.5 acre area has now been turned into a garbage collection point with huge GHMC dustbins occupying the ground space, while two designated parks lie  filled with debris, and the fourth one has been turned into a mini-playground by the local youth. The workers assigned by GHMC to collect the garbage from the pond- turned- park, have in addition, set up makeshift tents within the area, something which the residents are not very happy with. “This designated park was initially a pond, which was filled up in the name of constructing a park. But even after claiming the land, dumping of waste and debris continues to take place”, said Vishnu, a resident of the colony and also a youth activist with BJYM, Serilingampally.He further said that the government had set aside `40-50 lakh for development of the park, but at the last minute the tenders for the same were cancelled. “Now there’s neither a pond, nor a park. Just an open space for garbage to accumulate”, he rued. The residents have repeatedly tried to bring the matter to the notice of the local corporators, he added.