Even after ‘inauguration’, Botanical Garden yet to be opened for public in Guwahati

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Although the highly-awaited Botanical Garden in the Old Jail Complex was inaugurated on Sunday, it has not been opened for the public yet. Anyone who wants to visit the new project in the city has to return back after reading a notice that states that the park will open to the public from October 5, forcing people to question as to why it was inaugurated before it was ready.

Several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the grand opening ceremony of the park on October 1. Ashok Singhal, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Pallav Gopal Jha, District Commissioner of Kamrup (metro) district and Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrigen Sarania were also present along with several other officers.

Although no reasons were cited regarding the reasons for not opening the botanical garden for the public, the notice posted at the gate by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority mentioned that it will open on Thursday. It also mentioned cleaning and maintenance of the project as the reasons for the closure.

Local people expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the non-opening of the park for the people. A person said, “We have been waiting for this project to open for so long. It is supposed to be an excellent place for our young children to play and exercise. We do not understand what is taking them so long to open it even after inauguration.”

A shopkeeper said, “A lot of people come every day to visit this park, only to return disappointed. Why did the government host such a grand opening if the project was not ready? They could have easily done it a week later.”

Another person who went to visit the park said, “We wanted to visit the botanical garden after hearing so much about it. But sadly it has not been opened yet. Given the massive traffic congestion in this area, we do not want to visit it again. I hope the authorities take proper steps to resolve the traffic woes in the locality by completely removing all parking on the streets of Fancy Bazar.”

It remains to see whether the Botanical Garden actually has enough trees as the Chief Minister had once promised to make it a source of oxygen in the busy Fancy Bazar area which hardly has any big trees now, and if the authorities concerned are able to resolve the traffic problems in the Machkhowa-Fancy Bazar locality.

Also Read:     CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated new Botanical Garden in Guwahati

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