Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 7: Even as the government has spent crores of rupees to develop amusement parks in the state, Srinagar's lone children's park craves for official attention.
The last year's devastating floods ravaged the children park, which is located inside Sir Mohammad Iqbal Park, but the government has failed to rejuvenate it.
The swings and rides, rather than providing recreation, pose a threat to the children in the park. The slides in the park are marred with rust and are broken, which can easily cause injury to children.
The washrooms in the park are also in shambles with pungent smell emanating from them. Ironically, the office of the staff manning the park is right next to the washrooms.
Many parents accompanying their children said they were afraid to let the kids play in the children's park. "We were not aware of the condition of the park. We are now taking extra care so that no one gets hurt," said a parent.
Some teachers from a school in Soibugh, Budgam, who had brought the students for picnic, said had they known about the pathetic condition of the park, they would not have undertaken the trip.
According to the ticket vendor at the park, as many as 100 tickets are sold daily these days while during the peak summer season, the footfall was as high as 300 in the park.
"We are not responsible for the maintenance of the park. However, we often receive complaints about the pathetic condition of the park, which has proved to be a major spoiler for visitors," the vendor said. Meanwhile, Minister for Public works, Floriculture and Gardens and Parks, Altaf Bukhari admitted that the children's park was in bad shape.
"We have lack of funds and also lack of manpower in the Floriculture Department. We have just 84 employees. There is only Rs 9 crore annual budget including employees salary," Bukhari told Early Times. The park's supervisor, Assistant Floriculture Officer, Nazir Mir, said, "I have been given the additional charge only a few months ago. You should ask Director Floriculture about this issue."
When senior officials of the Floriculture Department were asked about the condition of the children's park, they feigned ignorance. |
