Hanamkonda: Neglected Kakatiya Vana Vihar crying for attention
Warangal: Much to the dismay of the people visiting Kakatiya Vana Vihar, an urban park developed about 25 km from here, weeds and untidy premises greet them.
The Hanamkonda district (Warangal Urban) Forest department developed this urban lung space for the benefit of residents of Greater Warangal city and surrounding villages.
The park was inaugurated on January 12 this year by forest officials. The staff at the counter are also collecting the fee for entry into the park abutting National Highway 563.
As part of the park development project, a play area for children, walking track, open gym, toilets, and seating arrangements under Pagoda like structures, had been developed at the park for the convenience of visitors.
However, grass and bushes can be seen everywhere in the gym and play area. The estimated cost of the park was Rs 1.50 crore in 2019, but it is learnt that the cost went up. The then Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), MJ Akbar, who was keen on developing this urban park, during a visit in September 2019 said that 80 percent of the works had been completed.
Incumbent CCF SJ Asha told Telangana Today that they were yet to complete the works due to shortage funds and other reasons including conditions created by Covid-19.
G Ravinder Reddy, a resident of Bheemaram in Hanamkonda, urged the forest officials to finish the development works and also clear the grass and bushes. “It is a beautiful place to stop by while coming to Hanamkonda from Karimnagar,” he said. While the total area under the forest jurisdiction is about 90 acres, the park was developed in a portion of the area.
While the entree fee for adults is Rs 20 per head and Rs 10 per child, walkers have to pay Rs 150 per month or Rs 2,000 per year. They are allowed into the park from 5.30 am to 9 am while visitors are allowed from 1.30 am to 6 pm.
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