KMC set to build park for the elderly

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is all set to gift the city a park exclusively for the elderly- which is perhaps the first of its kind. The Indu Park, located at ward 107 in Kasba, is being rejuvenated to provide a wide space for aged people to take their morning and evening walks and spend time chatting among themselves.

"There are more than 10 children's parks in my ward, with various rides and other activities for the enjoyment of children. But there was no such park where old people can sit and spend time. So, I decided to renovate the park and make it friendly for the elderly," said Sushanta Kumar Ghosh,

councillor of ward 107, who is also the chairman of Borough XII.

Ghosh said that his idea behind the park originated after he saw a group of ten to fifteen aged persons indulging in adda at tea stalls, or at the local market.

"The work for the first phase has already been completed. We will soon float tender for the second phase, which will comprise of putting up a boundary of the park and other beautification work," he added.

According to Ghosh, apart from open space for walk, there will be comfortable seating arrangements favourable for an adda ambience. There will be indoor game facilities like chess, ludo, etc. "There is a waterbody inside the park, which will also be given a facelift with facilities for angling. A fountain will also be created in it," he said.

It may be mentioned that this park is being developed on a 2 bigha land, just adjacent to the children's park. "In the late afternoon, a number of children come and play in the children's park with their grandfathers. But the elderly cannot sit because of inadequate seating arrangements. This park will surely solve the problem," he maintained.

The cost of developing the park will be around Rs 80 crore. A portion of the fund is being allocated by the Parks and Gardens department, while the rest is being disbursed by the Project Management Unit (PMU) department of the civic body.

Ghosh is hopeful of unveiling the park to the elders before the Durga Puja this year.