The Hindu : CM to open 110 parks in City next week

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

CM to open 110 parks in City next week

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Nov. 22 . As many as 110 parks developed under the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) "Janodhyanavana" programme at a cost of Rs. 20 crore will be open to the public next week.

The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, will inaugurate the parks on November 27 or 28, the outgoing Mayor, K. Chandrashekar, said here on Friday.

Addressing presspersons at some of the parks developed under the programme, he said the parks had been "upgraded" in five months. For the proper maintenance of the parks, the BMP was planning to hand them over to private firms. Nine companies had come forward to "adopt" a park each, and the BMP was expecting more firms to make the offer. Later, the BMP would call tenders for maintenance of the parks by private parties, he added.

Mr. Chandrashekar said the parks were fenced with barbed wires to prevent their misuse. A security guard would be posted at each of the parks, and the BMP planned to have fixed timings during which the parks could be used. The BMP would not impose any fee on the public for use of the parks, he added.

Of the 110 parks, eight were being developed as tourist attractions. Three boulevards at Jayanagar, Basavangudi, and Channamanakere Acchukut, and eight old parks were upgraded, Mr. Chandrashekar said. Twenty-eight parks were named after prominent personalities of the respective areas, and the rest of them would be named soon, he added.

On the locations of the parks, the Mayor said adequate attention had been given to ensure that each ward had a park. "We have developed parks in thickly populated areas ranging from slums to middle-class localities to commercial centres. The only ward where we can't have a park is Chickpet, as there is no lung space available,'' he said.

The parks would not only provide greenery in each ward but also help check the increasing air pollution. Besides, it was the best way to protect BMP property.

Eleven of the 110 parks had rain-harvesting facility. Sprinkler irrigation systems had been installed in the others for watering plants.

On Friday, the Mayor inspected parks in Bapujinagar, Hoskerehalli, Banashankari Second and Third Stage, Jayanagar, J.P. Nagar, Frazer Town, and Nagpura.

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