Sir,

The Cheluvamba Park, opposite Akashvani and one of the oldest parks in the city, is in an awful condition. It is pathetic to see patches of the so-called lawns dried up, while the hedge plants along the pathways are either withered or missing in several places.

Hardly anybody is seen watering the plants regularly, and the water sprinklers installed years ago are not functioning. Surrounding the park are many trees as old as the park itself, with some dried-up branches. One will also be surprised to see well-grown fruit-bearing trees like jackfruit, besides Honge and Peepal trees, within the park.

Many elderly citizens, including some well past 80 and 90 years of age, are regular walkers here. Every weekend, the park turns into a picnic spot, with plastic cups and wrappers thrown around carelessly. It is also common to see many stray dogs both inside and outside the park.

There are two wide gates, one in the middle on the western side and another at the corner facing the ‘Ta Ra Su’ Circle. The latter remains permanently closed and serves only as a decorative piece. Repeated requests for a wicket gate here appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

The board carrying the name of the famous novelist has also completely faded.

Sticker posters have marred the beauty of the granite pillars at the gate. Walkers remain mute spectators to such blemishes, as several complaints have gone unaddressed. It is sad to note this step-motherly attitude towards a park that bears the name of the erstwhile Rajamatha of Mysore. One only hopes the authorities will wake up and take necessary measures.

– Grieving park users, Mysuru, 18.5.2026 

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