Land mafia thrashes park, kids write letter to GHMC

Hyderabad: In a hand written letter to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), children aged eight and 12 have complained about construction activity, dumping of construction material and boulders in the park that they have been using since 2008. 

In the letter, the children said that encroachers have dismantled playground equipment like slides, monkey bars, etc. 

The park is located near Pearl Village residency CMC, enclave Majid Banda Kondapur, is a prime locality and a prized real estate property. Children have said that the construction materials dumped have spoilt the beauty of the park which has now become a home to snakes.

The hand-written letter is signed by nine primary and middle school children. Sriram, who is in the first standard, said, “We have been restricted from going to the park. Huge boulders have been dumped and a wall has been built on one side. Our slides, see-saws, monkey bars and the merry go round have been dismantled.”

This public park happens to be the major play area in the Pearl village Kondapur. “The boulders have become home for snakes. We are also being restricted from taking our cycles to the park as senior citizens walk there every day. There is no alternative play area for us, we are playing at a distant area in the village. Unfortunately, even at that site, construction activities are on. We sincerely request the officers to bring back the joy and happiness by restoring the public park,” said S. Srikar, a sixth class student.  

Construction of a gated community is on nearby and the park is being used to dump construction materials. The construction has been going on for six months and is expected to continue for three years.

“Playing is the basic right of children and restricting children from entering the park is a violation of child rights,” claims Anuradha Rao, child rights activist.

GHMC West Zone authorities when asked to comment said that they will take immediate action.