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Pattom Thanu Pillai park at Kuravankonam gets a facelift after decade

The park, according to people nearby, was shunned by most as it was almost always occupied by political outfits.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Pattom Thanu Pillai park at Kuravankonam, which was lying neglected for a decade, is now receiving some attention with the Corporation renovating it.

The park, according to people nearby, was shunned by most as it was almost always occupied by political outfits. It was locked from inside by CITU members, the last time DC visited it. Now, it turns out that the old gate has been replaced by a revolving gate.

This will ensure that no one can block access to the park. In fact, old and young people, who are in the park not for party meetings but morning walks, have already started using it.

Officials said that the work is almost over. New hand rails are being fitted. The lawn is being greened. New saplings will be planted. The boundary wall has cladding tile. For the floor, tiles which offer grip have been used. Electric connection has been re-established. The work is estimated to cost Rs 7 lakh.

The money for it was allocated from the maintenance (non-road) fund of the Corporation after Muttada councillor R. Geetha Gopal pushed for it. There is a reading room on the compound, which was lying unused. Now it is being painted. Later, there are plans to demolish it and build a two-storey structure, according to officials. How this would look in the small park remains to be seen.

Since the corporation does not have gardeners’ vacancies, the public might have to take an active interest in the maintenance of the park. Town Planning Committee chairperson R. Satheeshkumar said that the Corporation has written to the state to introduce 25 gardeners’ vacancies. “The maintenance of most public parks is done by daily wage employees. We have around 45 small and big parks. If the government responds positively to the vacancies, the maintenance of public parks can be ensured,” he says.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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