After being stuck in limbo for almost two years of its grand inauguration, Rastriya Dalit Prerna Sthal, a park located near the Delhi-Noida border that is considered to be the dream project of BSP supremo Mayawati, finally opened to the public on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 144th birth anniversary.
Wednesday morning saw scores of Samajwadi Party leaders, including Cabinet Minister Narendra Bhati and Noida Authority officials, at the park and a formal announcement regarding its opening was made by the Minister. On Tuesday, officials of the Authority inspected electric wires, lights, fountains, sign boards, statutes as well as flowers in the park.
Meanwhile, residents of the city hailed the move of the Government and said that the park will become a favourite destination of locals and will also attract people from elsewhere. “We are happy with the announcement as it will enhance the beauty of the city,” said a visitor.
Officials said that for the past several months Noida Authority had been making final touches in order to open the park to the public. A total of Rs 1.35 crore has been spent by the Authority for setting up facilities like public toilets, drinking water, finishing work and arrangement of chairs. “We were busy in finalising the works from May and had started fountains and lights before the ADB summit. Now, we decided to open the park after getting written orders from the Uttar Pradesh Government,” said PK Aggarwal, Additional CEO of Noida Authority.
The park will be under the surveillance of 52 CCTV cameras and will be monitored from control room located at the backside of the park. It will also be guarded by over two dozen private security personnel apart from 230 personnel deployed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, a company responsible for its upkeep and maintenance.
It may be recalled that Rastriya Dalit Prerna Sthal, constructed at 82.5-acre land at a cost of Rs 685 crore, was gathering dust since its inauguration in October 2011.
Visiting hours
From March 1 to October 30, the park will be open from 11 am to 6 pm, while from November 1 to February 4, visitors will be allowed between 11 am and 5 pm. People will be charged an entry fee of Rs 10 and children up to five years of age will be allowed free entry. The park will remain closed on Mondays for maintenance work.
