Public Park at Hut Bay a true example of criminal wastage of Public Money

Ganesh Sarkar
Port Blair, Jan 14: Once famous among children and joggers of Hut Bay, the abysmal condition of a Public Park is proof of lack of interest of Panchayat authorities in ensuring proper maintenance of public facilities. Chidambaram Park at Hut Bay 2 km, near Coast Guard Station after its inauguration in 2008 used to be thronged by visitors on a daily basis.
But for utter neglect in the subsequent months, the Park currently bears a deserted look with almost all play equipments turned rusty and the area becoming home to wild bushes and creature.
According to reports, the Chidambaram Park was inaugurated by the then Pradhan of Hut Bay Panchayat, Mr C Palaniswamy on 31st Oct 2008.
Children thronged the Park after its inauguration. Swings and other play equipments in the Park remained the major amusement source for children of the region for initial few months.
Joggers used the Park for improvement of physical health, while the elderly residents relaxed at the location away from the hustle and bustle of normal life. But for the lethargy of the Panchayat authority, today no one dares to venture close to the Park. Even a Canteen constructed in the premises of the Park presently stands in ruins with anti-social elements using the deserted space for boozing or gambling.
“The Hut Bay Panchayat carried out routine maintenance of the Chidambaram Park for the initial few months after its inauguration. A number of play equipments were installed at the Park for the benefit of children. But for reasons better known to the Panchayat, the Park has been lacking maintenance for years. Almost all equipments have rusted and the park has become home to the wild bushes and animals. Even venomous snakes have been spotted in the Park premises on a number of occasions,” say some Hut Bay residents.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Hut Bay Panchayat, Smt Geeta Rao said that efforts are on to restore the Chidambaram Park.
“The Panchayat has been facing shortage of funds due to which the renovation work could not be initiated. However, the matter is being thoroughly pursued with the concerned authorities in the administration and people of Little Andaman can expect early restoration of the Park,” she said.