Kochi: It was one of the few well-maintained parks in the region and used to draw a decent crowd on week-ends and closed holidays.
However, Thaneerchal Park set up by Thripunithura municipality on 2.5 acres around a lake at Refinery road in Irumbanam is remaining closed for the past six months.
The initial contractor, who ran the park for nearly three years since its opening to public on May 12, 2015, backed out citing “huge rent”. The municipality floated tenders for a new contractor but no player has turned up.
"The annual rent comes to nearly Rs 30 lakh which we could not afford,” said Rajeev, a partner of the firm which bagged the initial contract. “No one has evinced interest to take up the maintenance contract due to this.”
Vanashree Nair, a resident of Thripunithura, said the park is well planned and designed and has almost all recreational equipment for children. “There is boating for families and also dedicated pedestrian pathway for jogging and exercises. We used to be regular visitors but the same is in a closed condition for long time now,” Ms Nair said.
When contacted, Thripunithura municipal chairperson Chandrika Devi exuded confidence of re-opening the park soon.
“We've floated the tenders again. This time we’re hopeful of getting good response,” she said.
The park, set up at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, was closed in May last. Sources said the municipality has carried out maintenance works too, especially after it was inundated in the floods in August.
