Rourkela: Till the other day, the park bore a picture of utter negligence. With no flowers, foliage and shrubs, the greenery of this park had been a thing of the past. Neither in mornings or evenings did people including children and health freaks visit the park.
However, the ‘Pushpa Park’ has become a favourite place not only for joggers and retired persons who come to the park for a walk but also for those who wish to spend quality time with their children and family members. The park has got its lost sheen back.
Joggers and morning walkers, who once used to pass by it, have started visiting the park thanks to the participation of local residents.
Without waiting for the Rourkela Steel Plant authority to renovate the park, residents are doing everything from taking care of the park to its beautification by contributing money from their own pockets. They plant flower plants and shrubs for the park and take care of the park all by themselves.
It is for their untiring efforts that there is a lot of greenery added to this little park. The park is filled with varieties of flower plants and foliage shrubs that are pleasant to eyes and attracts people.
Money is being collected from visitors to pool a fund for taking up future developmental activities in the park. “The RSP’s role is restricted to getting the park’s boundary wall and a toilet constructed and its electrification. Apart from this, the authority is doing nothing,” locals alleged.
Echoing the same feelings, some others alleged, “Boundary wall and a toilet never make a park beautiful. The plant authority should take steps for its beautification. To ensure its maintenance and safety for visitors, the authorities should engage security staff,” they observed.
Some others alleged that the toilet had gone dysfunctional before it could be made operational. As the toilet is not working, women walkers and revelers have a lot of problems.
PNN