Diminishing attraction marks Shraddhanjali Kanan

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The status and importance of city park Shraddhanjali Kanan on RG Baruah road, opposite State Zoo is seemingly losing its attraction due to the alleged lack of concern of Guwahati Metropolitan Development Department (GMDA). Interestingly, the park has hitherto been known to be a source of attraction among the youth and the kids.

The park was developed by GMDA way back in 2010 at an expense of Rs. 8.73 crores and it is spread over 23 bighas of land. Visitors coming to the park leave disappointed and angry.

The main attractions inside the park are no more available for enjoyment. Mainly, the slides and rides of children are in a bad shape and have not been repaired or maintained.

Guardians found that the main attractions inside the park were non-functional. They were very unhappy at what was going inside the park.

“Parents with their kids throng the park during summer vacations in schools. This time when many of them found that the attractions were not working, they demanded a refund of entry fees. When we said that we would not be able to give the money back they engaged in heated arguments with us. This is not our fault and people should report their complaints to GMDA instead,” said cashier.

Shraddhanjali Kanan in Guwahati is the only park where we can take our children for amusement. The rides and slides have now stopped working. They charge Rs 20 per person at the ticket counter for nothing. So I demanded to repay my money,” a visitor said. “Due to some difference during financial negotiations, the company connected with the park withdrew from the contract. Till now no fresh tender has been called for maintenance of the park. This would take some more time. The park would be fully purposeful from next financial year,” the source said.

Sundays, some 500-700 visitors throng the park with their children. This year we saw a complete reversal of fortunes. Many of them are disappointed at the present situation,” security personnel said.

GMDA sources said, “GMDA’s contract with a company engaged at Shraddhanjali Kanan didn’t go well this year. The company was mainly associated with overall maintenance of the park.”