Mysore/Mysuru: With garbage of all kinds being dumped inside the Freedom Fighters’ Park, especially in the South-East corner — adjacent to the drain, the park is becoming a garbage dumping yard causing a lot of inconvenience to the public as well as to the residents living in its surroundings.

Also, the park is filled with overgrown weeds, unwanted plants and bushes, which has become a place for illegal activities especially after dark.

Residents allege that garbage is regularly burnt inside the park which spews toxic smoke that spreads in the surroundings forcing the residents, public and motorists to inhale this smoke, which may lead to health complications.

Sukumar Sharma, a senior citizen, explaining about the pathetic condition of the park, has stated that the Freedom Fighters’ Park is in horrible conditions as it had become a garbage dumping yard for the public with miscreants burning dry branches, leaves, plastic garbage all around inside the park, thus causing air pollution.

He has further stated that when he had brought the matter to the notice of Corporator Prameela by producing relevant videos and photos, the Corporator, along with her team, swung into action and got the park cleaned. But soon, garbage was being dumped inside the park again. 

As the park comes under MLA Nagendra, the matter was brought to his notice and the MLA immediately sanctioned Rs. 1 crore for the development of the park, claims Sharma, who has offered a few suggestions for the development of the park keeping in mind prevention of garbage dumping in future.

First Suggestion: There is a open sewage drain at the South-East corner of the park (close to Traffic Signal Junction). At this point, the compound of the park with iron railings is very short in height and passersby throw garbage including plastics directly into the drain. The height of the compounds should be raised considerably and the open drain inside the park should be covered, which would prevent foul smell from emanating and also for the safety of children who are at the risk of falling into the drain while playing. Same is the case of the open drain at the North-West corner of the park. This open drain is constantly emanating foul smell. Covering the drain could solve the problem.

Second Suggestion: There are two entry gates to the park right now which should be made as a single entry and exit gate for people to enter and exit the park. This would help in keeping more vigil by the security personnel at the park. 

Third Suggestion:  The entire park area should not be used for cattle grazing as it is happening now. One can find a dozen cows roaming freely all around and grazing in the park now. Some portion of the park behind Krishna Temple can be kept exclusively for cattle grazing and this portion could be fenced to prevent cattle from roaming freely inside the remaining portion of the park.

Fourth Suggestion: The stretch of footpath beside the  park, from the Traffic Signal Junction till the gate of Subramanya Temple, has become place for the public to answer nature’s call, which is causing a lot of inconvenience to all, especially ladies and children. 

So while developing the park, the MCC could construct shops which could generate revenue to the civic body and a public toilet complex could be built along this footpath.

Sukumar Sharma has urged the authorities concerned to consider the suggestions in the interest of all and also to maintain the beauty of the park.