MC takes control of own property

Shivani Bhakoo

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23

Waking up from its deep slumber, the Municipal Corporation authorities today took the possession of its own property, a public park near Kips Market, Sarabha Nagar, which was being used by the traders for commercial purposes. The MC authorities raised a wall around the park to stop entry of traders and visitors as the property was being used for commercial purposes.

The traders, however, maintained that since the MC had “neglected” the park, they were maintaining it with the amount generated from electric swings, etc, installed there. The money earned by running these swings was used for the development of the market.

The Zonal Commissioner, PS Ghuman, said since it was a public property, none could use it to make money. “We have taken the possession of the park and now, we will develop it for the public,” said Ghuman.

The chairman of the Sarabha Nagar Main Market Traders Association, Wang, said a few years ago, the park presented a picture of utter neglect. Anti-social elements had started frequenting the area. “We got suggestions from residents about installing swings to attract crowds. We installed electric swings on which a good amount was spent. We started charging money for using swings and the entire collection was spent on the development of the market, including the construction of toilets, laying of inter-locking tiles on the passage, installation of CCTV cameras, reconstruction of dumps, etc,” said the chairman.

On being asked if it was justified to use a public park for making money, Wang said the traders had no mala fide intention as the money collected on account of swing charges was used on the development of the market.

Meanwhile, Gurmit Singh, a banker, said he was shocked when the attendant at the gate asked him to pay money to enter the public park. “I had to go there with my children but was asked to pay the entry fee. I have also complained about it on the MC portal. It is a public park and how can the traders take control of it? The authorities took the much needed step but too late. We are happy that now the park will be developed by the MC and we can enter free of cost”, said Gurmit Singh.

Most public parks in city are in a shambles as the MC do not have enough funds to develop these. Many parks, being maintained by the Park Management Committees, are in a good shape but no commercial activity is run on these public parks.