Neglected park near Gole Market becomes breeding ground for diseases

A park adjacent to Gole Market in Model Town has fallen into disrepair, with garbage piling up across walkways and green patches now overrun by mosquitoes.

Once a space for children to play and residents to gather in the evenings for walks and talks, the park has become a source of discomfort and concern for the local community.

Plastic waste, food wrappers and stagnant water have turned the area into a breeding ground for diseases. Parents say they’ve stopped sending their children to play there, fearing mosquito-borne illnesses.

“It’s heart-breaking. This used to be the safest place for our kids. I would often go to the nearby shops and my kids would play here safely but now it is full of rats and garbage is strewn all around,” said one resident.

Shopkeepers near the market echoed the frustration. “We open our shutters every morning to the stench of rotting garbage. It’s not just unpleasant—it’s bad for business,” said Ramesh Kumar, who runs a general store facing the park.

Another vendor, Gurpreet Singh, added, “Customers complain about the smell and mosquitoes. Some even avoid walking past this stretch altogether.”

A golgappa vendor who was permanently stationed here since years has shifted from here due to the foul smell and bad condition of the park.

Seeing worsening conditions, Daljeet Singh Takkar, president of Model Town Market Welfare Society, has submitted a formal written complaint to the municipal corporation. In the letter, Takkar has highlighted the repeated neglect and urged immediate action to clean and maintain the park. “We’ve complained many times, but no action has been taken,” the letter states.