NTR Gardens parks of the city

NTR Gardens, a small urban park, located on NTR Marg adjacent to Hussainsagar Lake in the heart of the city is close to tourist attractions like Birla Mandir, Necklace Road and Lumbini Park. The park is maintained by the Buddha Purnima Project Authority (HMDA).

TSRTC is available to all parts of city. Secunderabad Railway Station is less than 10 km away and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is 35 km away. Developed in 2002, NTR Gardens is spread over 34 acres. It is open to people from 2.30 pm to 8.30 pm on weekdays and from 12.30 pm to 8.30 pm on weekends and holidays. The entry fee is Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children.

The park has attractions for all ages beginning with a plaza with a fountain at the entrance, a flower garden and a peripheral walkway. Adventure lovers can enjoy bungee jumping, pedal boating, machine tree, water cascade, giant wheel and downtown (games counters). Attractions for children include the toy train, a play area, the Bonsai exhibition and the mist fountain.

History

In 1999, a memorial for N T Rama Rao was erected by then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu. It was planned to expand the area by constructing a museum to commemorate NTR. The area has since then been referred to as NTR Gardens. In 2000, former government of Andhra Pradesh developed this area with projects like the NTR Gardens, a rock garden and the IMAX Theater.

Problems

Majority of the visitors complain about the prohibition of bringing their own food inside the garden and the high cost of food provided inside the park. There is no drinking water or toilet facility in the surrounding areas (before entering the park). The cost of cloakroom for depositing articles is not uniform. There is no first aid facility. Some of the fountains have dried up due to water pipeline problems.

By CH SAIBABA