Some spots are stinking, some patches of the lawn have decayed. Food and drink waste lies at corners of the walkways.
This then is the condition of Nageswara Rao Park in Luz.
There are only two civic staff who say they have to clear the waste and fallen/dead leaves. Who say they can only do that much in a day.
There are no staff to take care of the recently potted plants and the lawns that were laid at great cost.
The Chennai Corporation AEE who oversaw the ‘final renovation’ of the park, had promised at the launch of the renovated park ( budget – Rs.9 crores approx.) that staff would be appointed and that temporary staff would handle the jobs till formal assignments were made.
Due to the off and on rain, the new saplings are decaying and dying. The lawns now look ragged. They are ragged because this show how lawns and saplings were planted in treble quick time to enable opening of the park and to silence bitter critics.
Vagabonds and others snack in the park; they throw food waste, used food packs and drinks containers all around.
There are four used paint containers kept in the park to serve as waste bins. They do not serve a purpose.
Nageswara Rao Park is looking ragged now; days after a grand re-opening.
Most people ignore the dark, dirty spots and are content to take their walks, play badminton or exercise.
- By Madhan Kumar
