Hyderabad\'s Dinosaur Park lies in state of neglect

Hyderabad: The Dinosaur Park in Banjara Hills has fallen into a state of neglect, posing significant dangers to children and visitors.

Stairs in the park are at a 10-inch height, making them hazardous for young visitors. Stone pathways, weaving through unkempt bushes, are riddled with broken slabs and crumbling steps, putting anyone who navigates them at risk.

A nine-year-old regular visitor from nearby Vinayaknagar said he had sustained an ankle injury last week due to these broken stairs.

Staff at the park revealed that a surge in visitors, especially during the Dasara vacation, has stretched the park's limited maintenance resources. Instead of the usual three, only two contract workers (and sometimes just one of them) are now assigned to clean one side of the park each day.

The rear of the park, with dense trees and stagnant water in a pond and lacking proper lighting, paints a grim picture. This area has become a breeding ground for pests and insects, with trash polluting the water.

A child visitor said children were asked to stay away from the park for two days after one of the park's iconic dinosaur structures was damaged.

Visitors also voiced their concern about unsanitary conditions within the park. Anjum Fathema, who visited the park on Thursday, noted that the dark corners of the park were likely used as public urinals, resulting in a foul stench. Furthermore, drainage water leaked onto the pathways, creating hazardous and slippery conditions.

Another distressed parent, Payal S., expressed disappointment upon her visit. "Children should never be allowed to walk here, let alone play, in such a dangerous environment. I see some kids are here without adult supervision and are running around callously, as they should, but it scares me looking at the dangerous condition," she said.