Govt sits on plan to revive Cubbon Park ponds

 It has almost been two years since a proposal was placed before the Horticulture department for rejuvenating the ponds in Cubbon Park by two private firms. But the project is yet to see the light of the day.

Members of the Cubbon Park Walkers Association (CPWA) have blamed the department for non-implementation of the project.

Procam International Private Limited - in association with India Cares Foundation - proposed to give a facelift to three ponds in Cubbon Park, besides setting up dustbins, toilets and other facilities.

Meena Dave, CEO, India Cares Foundation, said, “We sent the proposal in August 2014 with an intention of making Cubbon Park a better public space. Since then, we have been following it up with department. A recent communication we received from them said the proposal needs to be revised.”

She said of the three ponds, two have completely dried up and the project was supposed to be executed without the Horticulture department incurring any expenditure. “The estimated cost is Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore,” Dave said.

“The park authorities are not taking interest in developing the lung space. There is hardly a toilet here and the ponds have dried up. If someone is keen to do it for free, why is the department not giving permission,” asked S Umesh, president of CPWA.

Mahantesh Murugod, deputy director of the Horticulture department, said the private parties had delayed in submitting the plan and hence, the project did not take off.

“We have taken up rejuvenation of the three ponds with the help of the PWD. The private firms can always approach us for other projects such as provision of drinking water facility, installing gates and grills around the park. Procam and India Cares Foundation recently submitted a proposal on the above works. Soon, an agreement will be signed with them,” he said.