Green Park project moves at a snail's pace.

Green Park, which was touted as one of the flagship projects of the Tiruchi City Corporation, is yet to get a final shape.

The project started in 2013 was projected to be a premier leisure and picnic spot to the entertainment-starved people of Tiruchi. It was aimed at creating all modern recreational facilities, including videogames, cycle track, walking path, meditation halls and others.

As per the plan, the Tiruchi Corporation had earmarked about seven acres of land at Panjapur on Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway. Since the site was said to have a relatively good groundwater support thanks to the adjacent sewage treatment farm, the officials planted a variety of saplings.

The then Commissioner V.P. Thandapani, who evinced much interest in the project, made a number of visits to the park. The work was subsequently projected as an amusement park with the promise of setting up of a toy train, dry raids for children and others. He had revealed a plan to set up the replicas of Seven Wonders of the World. A sum of about Rs.2 crore was allotted to execute the project.

Though the Corporation authorities have planned to complete the project within a few months, the slow progress of a few components of the project suggests that it may be dragged beyond December.

Except walking paths and cycle track and establishment of children playing equipment, all other components are yet to be completed. There is hardly any progress on setting up of meditation hall, video games and zoological park.

Similarly, there is no work on constructing eateries as promised by the officials. However, the saplings planted a few years ago have grown to the level of providing shades on the ground.

Expressing concern over the tardy progress of the works, H. Ghouse Baig, a consumer activist, said that authorities had failed to extend the needed attention to complete the project. Huge money had already been spent for creating the park. If a sincere attention was not paid, there was a possibility that the entire money would go waste. Hence, authorities should convene a high level meeting to take stock of the project, he said.

N. Kathiravan, 39{+t}{+h}ward Councillor, said that the execution of the project was delayed on account of State elections.

It was restarted. However, it was progressing at a snail’s pace. He had impressed upon the need for completing the project as early as possible.

The authorities should take necessary steps to open the park before the local body elections, which was slated to be held in October.

THE HINDU