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Joggers' Park yet to made fully operational
Even though a one-of-its-kind-concept concept of a Joggers' Park was introduced in Bathinda last September, most of its key attractions are yet to made operational for the general public.
Even though a one-of-its-kind-concept concept of a Joggers' Park was introduced in Bathinda last September, most of its key attractions are yet to made operational for the general public.
Three key facilities, the provision of cycles for taking a round of the park; the installation of lighting to ensure a safe experience and finally fencing around the lake's boundary with the park, are yet to be completed.
The park has separate tracks for jogging and cycling running along the borders of the water tanks of Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
An official in the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA), the executing authority for the Rs 4.5-crore project, said that the authority had bought 10 bicycles, but they had not yet started renting out the bicycles, as without a system in place, this costly equipment might simply be stolen.
At the time of inauguration of park, it was claimed that initially these bicycles will be provided to people free of cost, till a procedure for renting these cycles was devised.
However, more than three months after the launch, there has been no movement in this regard. The officials claimed that a club or committee must be formed to look into the issue and devise a system.
A portion of the park towards residential colonies is also to see the light of the day. However, poles for this purpose have been erected, though electric fittings are yet to arrive.
BDA chief administrator Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the operation and maintenance of the park had been handed over to the Bathinda municipal corporation and that they must be contacted for operational issue regarding the park.
He claimed that the work on installation of lights in the park will be over by January 11 and the installation of railings had been given to a private firm at a cost of Rs 32 lakh and would be completed within two months.
Bathinda MC assistant commissioner Kamal Kant Goyal said that a system will be put in place for renting out the bicycles within a few days.
