Lack of maintenance renders Batamaloo Public Park defunct

Srinagar, May 8: The lack of maintenance of the decades-old public park at Batamaloo is causing immense inconvenience to locals.

The locals said that the park, which is a major public space for them to gather and hold important events, has been facing neglect, rendering it defunct.

The locals said that last year, some maintenance was carried out in the park, but the project was left unfinished due to the lack of final touches. They said that the park needed to be brought to a proper level and maintained properly, which was not done by the concerned authorities.

Chairman of the local welfare committee, Habibullah Bhat, said that last year, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation carried out some development work, but did not complete it.

“The park needs to be filled so that waterlogging does not happen. Only then can the park be maintained properly. Currently, the park gets waterlogged every now and then, and it is not functional for the public at all. The park has become a grazing ground for animals, and it is often full of dogs,” Bhat said.

He said that important community events, including marriage ceremonies, condolence meetings and other social events, used to be held in the park, which is now defunct.

“If action is not taken, the park will become a hub for drug addicts and other anti-social elements,” Bhat added.

The locals said that the park was initially built in 1960s and has been catering to thousands of locals at Batamaloo and adjacent areas. They said elderly and children from areas like New Colony Batamaloo, Bonpora, Shah Faisal Abad, Diyarwani, Firdousabad, and adjoining areas used to spend time in the park.

“It is the only place used for recreational activities, and it has been defunct for a long time now. This park is adjacent to a school and public health center, and patients, attendants, and students used to benefit from it. We appeal to the government to maintain the park properly so that we can benefit from it,” said Manzoor Ahmad, another local.

Joint Commissioner SMC Rajinder Kumar Gupta, said that he will look into the matter and address it accordingly

"I will get in touch with the concerned official on the ground and address the issue. The department has submitted the estimated cost for the remaining work, and the work will commence soon," Gupta said.