Indira Park, in the heart of the city, has become home to a few stray dogs. A part of the boundary wall of the 70 acre park caved in three months ago and the authorities have failed to reconstruct it making it easy access for stray dogs. The dogs have become a nuisance, complain regulars at the park. Nearly half a kilometre of the parapet wall behind Snow World had collapsed nearly three months ago, however, the authorities have yet to reconstruct it.
“For weeks I have been noticing these stray dogs. They haven’t harmed anyone but, people get disturbed during their walk in the park,” says Venu Gopal, a retired railway employee. The park officials have called vans to catch the strays, says Prem Singh, assistant director of horticulture, Indira Park. Om Prakash, assistant civil engineer of Indira Park says, “I have already submitted a report for reconstruction of the boundary wall to the CTO department of GHMC and have also requested them to raise the height of the fence.”
Anil Raj, deputy executive officer, CTO department of GHMC, says, “We have checked the broken wall. Within a day or two the estimate for rebuilding the wall will be given for approval.” Walkers also complain about a part of the park being used by idol makers. “Soon the park will turn into a commercial spot for other artists to encroach the space and the public will have to look for a different place to take their walks,” complains Durga Prasad, a regular at the park. P. Anuradha, GHMC additional commissioner (parks), said, “We allowed the idol maker temporarily , since he makes eco-friendly ‘Ganeshas’ which he sells for one rupee in the market. He will be moved out after the construction of the wall.”