So far led down the garden path, the dream project of BSP supremo Mayawati — Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal — located on Delhi-Noida border will be operational from Gandhi Jayanti.
The public garden has been closed for two years since the inauguration by then Chief Minister Mayawati. Officials of Noida Authority on Monday said that all necessary arrangements have been taken care of for the grand opening. Official inauguration will be made by the CEO of Noida Authority on October 2.
Facilities like public toilets, drinking water, car parks and eating houses have been completed for the convenience of visitors. This apart, the Authority is also running last-minute inspections on electrical wiring, fountains and statues so that visitors can enjoy the beauty of the community garden.
PK Aggarwal, Additional CEO, Noida Authority, said that they have been consistently working on opening the park to public on the scheduled date. “As the State Government had verbally ordered to open the park as soon as possible, we have spent more than `30 lakh for arranging basic facilities and are now awaiting a written permission from the Government to make an official announcement. Ticket printing has also started,” said the ACEO.
Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal has been constructed on 82.5 acres of land at an estimated cost of `685 crore. It has become a bone of contention since Opposition parties have blamed Mayawati for spending a huge amount of public money for canvassing support of backward castes.