Silk city Berhampur gets new park for children

BERHAMPUR: The Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan, situated at the Courtpeta Square here, was formally opened for public today by the state urban development minister Badri Narayan Patra. The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) is managing the Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan constructed at a cost of Rs 21.74 lakh said chairman of the BDA, Kailash Rana. “Though it is a children’s park, is not meant for the use of children only. People of all age groups can visit the park. No entry fee for the Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan Park would be charged,” he said. The park, spread over three acres of land, will be maintained by the Berhampur Development Authority. In 2001, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation demolished a shopping complex at the spot, which was constructed illegally by a private party. However, it took about 10 years for the authority to develop the spot as a park. “The locality did not have any parks. We had to go to a park at Corporation Road, which is about 6-km away. So, we were eagerly awaiting for the park. But, we are not happy with the present infrastructure at the park,” said Bunti and Bobblu, both students of Class V in Xavier School, Berhampur. We have to play cricket and badminton on roads at Bidya Nagar. If the park develops it further, we would be able to play outdoor games there,” they said. Nehru Park at Hillpatna, situated on the Railway Station Road and maintained by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), provides a section for the children. But the equipments at the park are considerably damaged. Nehru Park is one of the oldest park in Berhampur which was constructed when Chandra Sekhar Sahu was trhe chairman of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. “On the other hand, the Biju Patnaik Park at Corporaton Road, spread over seven acres of land, is maintained by the Berhampur Development Authority. It has a musical fountain, a floating mountain, a beautiful landscape and boating facilities for children. Local people frequently visit this park to spend their evenings. There is a nominal entry fee for visitors. But entry is free for children below five years,” sources said. The BDA is planning to develop another park at Bedabandha in Gosaninuagaon at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore. “We would provide boating facility there and it would be a big park,” said the BDA chairman.

Source: The Telegraph