Bathukamma Kunta: Jangaon’s Only Park in Desperate Need of Attention
NEWS CHARIOT (Jangaon, Dec.26) : The Bathukamma Kunta which is the only recreation park present in the heart of the district and has been a valuable asset for the people of Jangaon is crying for attention while facing a lot of issues due to lack of proper management.
Not only the residents of the Jangaon town but also those visiting the district headquarters from surrounding villages for work have no place to relax for a while, as there is a lack of even a single park for recreation in the town except Bathukamma Kunta.
Although it is under the supervision of the officials of the Jangaon Municipality, there are allegations of negligence and poor management of Bathukamma Kunta with no sanitation measures taken, streetlights not functioning properly and with drain water polluting the pond along with no management of public toilets.
In 2014, the previous BRS government had taken up construction and beautification works of the Dharmoni Kunta by naming it as the Bathukamma Kunta and decided to transform it like that of Komati Cheruvu of Siddipet and Tank Bund of Hyderabad.
The government had also sanctioned Rs. 2 crores in two phases in 2014 and 2018. As result a spacious ground surrounding the water pond, a walking track, a helipad and an open gym were developed. At the same time, the officials also constructed a Durga Matha temple in the Bathukamma Kunat area and conducted Bathukamma and Dassehra festivals on a ground note every year.
The boating facilities, more play equipment for children, additional gardening are yet to be completed and with gym equipment installed improperly without any CCTV surveillance and with many more works left pending, the residents are urging the state government to take over the pending works and complete them as early as possible to transform Bathukamma Kunta into a beautiful recreation park.
The members of the walker’s association said that the ground present at Bathukamma Kunat can be used in various ways and as a playground for the children, but due lack of proper maintenance and incomplete development works, it was not brought into use. The Walkers’s association is ready to take responsibility for installation of CCTV cameras after completion of all the pending works, they assured.
The local councilor of the 2nd division Vankoduth Anitha speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that there are Rs.90 lakhs that are sanctioned by the government with the irrigation department. With the funds released the officials must construct a compound wall surrounding the Bathukamma Kunta along with completing many works which were left pending. The issue was taken to the notice of the district collector and to the notice of local MLA along with the officials of the municipal department, she added.
Meanwhile, the additional collector Pinkesh Kumar along with the municipal chairperson Pokal Jamuna inspected the Bathukamma Kunta and ordered the officials concerned to submit the report preparing proposals for taking up developmental works and for completing pending works of the Bathukamma Kunta.
