Joggers’ paradise turns an eyesore

Jalagam Vengala Rao Park, located in the bustling Banjara Hills on Road No 1, has all the makings of a joggers’ paradise, if only the authorities do their bit. As things stand, even the small lake inside with potential for boat rides has become a receptacle for all kinds of waste material.

The park, named after Andhra Pradesh’s former Chief Minister Jalagam Vengala Rao, was thrown open to the public on 15 August, 2002. This park boasts of a well-maintained jogger’s track which encircles a manmade lake in the centre of the park, which is acclaimed for its lush green ambience amidst the rocky terrain of Banjara Hills. After the park was opened, many joggers and fitness enthusiasts thronged it, though entry to the park is on ticket basis, costing Rs 5 for an adult and Rs 1 for a child aged below 5 years. There is also a monthly pass, which costs Rs 45 for daily visitors.

But, in the recent times, the park has lost much of its natural charm. The lake now smells bad, as it is full of rotting foliage and refuse. There is a greenish tinge in the water. The bunds of the lake are littered with garbage. There is also excessive growth of moss on the sides of the bund, which leaves the lake with no aesthetic appeal.

When the park was opened, people could take part in recreational activities in the lake like boating. But now the boats have been discarded. A lot of renovation work is going on inside the park which is taking away its charm. The jogger’s track is being refurbished as some of the tiles need to be replaced. At present, there is no track for jogging.

Fortunately, the park has still maintained the children’s play area. This area has been made clean of garbage and other pollutants. The park also maintains a canteen inside the park that serves, juices ice-creams and a few light snacks.

Summing it all up, the park that was once regarded as one of the best-maintained parks is now a picture of neglect, what with incomplete construction work on the one side and polluting water body on the other side. What remains of the park is only the façade and nothing else.