Banjara Park -- new attraction for city residents

By V. N. Harinath

HYDERABAD, JUNE 17 The hurly-burly of Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and the adjoining areas, particularly the younger lot, will be able to enjoy more greenery and have a breath of fresh air, when the ambitious plans of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad to develop the 14-acre Banjara Park take shape spread over an year.

Besides being a boon for the residents of these posh areas of the City, the park on Road No.1, Banjara Hills, will ease pressure on the much-visited and crowded Lumbini Park.

More young couples would be able to utter sweet nothings to their loved ones either while squatting on the lush green lawns or latest garden furniture that are to be provided in the park.

The lovers could also be in for a gala time as the MCH scheme of things includes illumination, a fast food restaurant besides parking for both four and two-wheelers.

As per plans made by Mr. Raj Expedith, the landscape architect, who was involved in the design of the Lumbini Park, the Banjara Park will have the additional attraction of seeing a revived Yenugulakunta.

It was in this pond that elephants of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad used to indulge themselves in games several decades ago. That is how it acquired the name. The pond will be the major attraction of the Rs.2-crore project which is expected to be completed next year. It will have boating facility besides a central fountain.

Plans are afoot to acquire five adjoining area so as to increase the area of the park to 19 acres. Residents staying in the land are likely to be offered alternate area. According to an MCH official, the landscaping of the Banjara Park would be completed by November. If everything goes according to the plans, the park should be ready by next year.

The pond, spread over an area of three acres inside the park, is taking shape, thanks to the heavy rain that lashed the twin cities recently. This water body has now up to 10 feet of water, 67 lakh gallons, in the once hollow land that was desilted prior to the onset of monsoon.

The silt has not been removed for years. As a consequence and the linking of sewer lines water in the kunta was getting polluted. With the MCH blocking the sewer lines by sealing them, there is no threat of sewerage getting mixed with the collected rainwater, according to Mr. Omar Jaleel, Additional Commissioner, MCH.

Dr.P.K.Mohanty, MCH Commissioner, explained the plan to the Chief Minister, Mr. N.Chandrababu Naidu, on June 17 when the latter visited the park along with his Cabinet colleagues Messrs T.Devender Goud, N.Md.Farook and K. Vijayarama Rao.

Mr. Naidu planted a sapling in the park to mark his visit. He went round the park and showed keen interest in seeing that it takes a clear shape, as indicated in the MCH plan.

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Section  : Southern States
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