Mohali’s Kargil Park picture of neglect, MC in slumber
Mohali, July 26
The nation paid homage to martyrs on the Kargil Vijay Diwas today, but 24 years later, the memories of their valour have dimmed in the eyes of Mohali Municipal Corporation.
The Kargil Park in Sector 71 is a picture of neglect and indifference for many years now. Residents and ex-servicemen of Mohali are apalled at the bad condition of the park and the dishonour it lends to the name of India’s great victory in 1999.
Named with much fanfare to honour the martyrdom of soldiers in Kargil War, this park, spread in an area of around one acre, is on a downhill slide ever since.
Pools of stagnant water can be seen near the gazebo, sitting area and public toilets. Garbage and horticulture waste from the bins is not picked for days. A felled palm tree has been lying alongside the pathway for months now. Beena Devi, Phase 7 resident
The stop-start efforts to shore it up recently have been shot down on one pretext or the other.
The main entrance to the park is as treacherous as it gets. Tiles, sand, concrete, cement bags are littered at the front like obstacles. Daily visitors said it has been more than two months like this.
“For years, we went from one office to the another for funds for renovation. Now this construction work is lingering on and is nowhere in sight of getting over, said Joginder Singh, a Sector 71 resident. Trucks and tractor trolleys bringing construction material have ruined the green cover.
“Pools of stagnant water can be seen near the gazebo, sitting area and the public toilets. Garbage and horticulture waste from the bins is not picked for days. A felled palm tree is lying alongside the pathway for months now,” Beena Devi, a Phase-7 resident.
Just near the park entrance from the houses side, there is an open junction box with bare wires dangling from it.
Amrik Singh Somal, senior deputy mayor, said Rs 49 lakh was sanctioned for footpaths, Rs 14 lakh for library and Rs 7 lakh for the repair of fountains which have started functioning yesterday. By next month, the whole work will be complete, he said.
“It is not entirely the fault of authorities. There are a few residents who walk their pets in the park when nobody is around. What do we do with them,” asks Somal, the area councillor.
Local residents said since Sector 71 is inhabited by a large population of defence personnel, the park was named Kargil Park around 10 years ago on their demand. Around 100-200 visitors come here everyday.
