Then rulers have spoiled the open Circus grounds and Old High school grounds by converting it into parks in the name of Smart City and denied playgrounds to students and others to play any game for fitness
The Smart City project had destroyed the natural beauty of Karimnagar town and converted wide roads into narrow roads causing traffic snarls daily
KARIMNAGAR, APRIL 09, 2024: The Ujwala Park which was developed on the shores of Lower Manair Dam (LMD) reservoir and was declared open for the public in 2001, would soon get a facelift to attract more visitors for relaxation on the outskirts of Karimnagar town.
The Ujwala park was conceived by then Collector Debabrata Kanta and developed into a beautiful garden for the people of Karimnagar town some 25 years ago. It has a musical fountain, an open-air theatre, water chute, Columbus, boating and other entertainment facilities for the entire family with lush green lawns and flower gardens etc. It also houses Puri Sri Jagannatha temple.
Ironically, of late, this park had turned into safe haven for illegal activities for anti-social elements and its maintenance was neglected. The musical fountain, open air theatre, Columbus, boating and other facilities have been stopped.
Collector Pamela Satpathy had visited the Ujwala park on Monday evening and went round the entire premises. She also offered prayers at Sri Jagannatha temple. On this occasion, she directed the Tourism department officials to take all necessary measures to give a facelift to the park and attract more visitors. Directing the officials to remove the shrubs and develop the flowering gardens and protect the plants, she informed the officials to revive the water fountain and other facilities for the entertainment of the pilgrims. Additional Collector Praful Desai and others were also present.
Ironically, then rulers have transformed the most happening Karimnagar City into ‘Ugly city’ in the name of Smart City programme by converting the Circus ground and Old High school grounds into parks denying the playground to the sport-activities. These above grounds have produced several national level foot-ball and hockey players from the district.
But, there are no sports activities in the above said grounds and the students and youth were struggling for open space to play at least gulli cricket and other games on holidays. Besides, these grounds were open for all for morning walks and conduct of small meetings by politicians and exhibitions etc because of its central location. But, the so-called leaders had transformed it into park and denying free entry and forcibly collecting parking charges also.
Incidentally, the Government Old high school or popularly called as Multipurpose school premises is an heritage structure as it was constructed by the Nizam’s and it was the first school of the integrated Karimnagar district in the year 1934. The school produced eminent personalities like former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Gnanpith Awardee Dr C Narayana Reddy, former M Satyanarayana Rao and others.
Then Karimnagar MP B Vinod Kumar had announced the beautification of the old high school in the year 2017 and still it is going on. On the other hand, the educational institutions including school, junior colleges and others were relocated on the pretext of developing the sprawling ground in park at the cost of sportspersons.
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