Chandbali, Oct 23: Parks developed to provide recreation and promote physical fitness in Chandbali town of Odisha’s Bhadrak district are reportedly falling into disrepair, with overgrown grass, bushes and damaged facilities raising concerns over maintenance and the use of public funds.
The poor condition of the parks has triggered resentment among residents, who say the public spaces are failing to serve their intended purpose. Rusted exercise equipment, broken chairs and scattered bricks have become visible signs of neglect, while thick vegetation has spread across parts of the premises. Stray cattle have also been seen resting inside the parks.
Rs 3 Crore Invested in Smart Park Near College
The Smart Park near Chandbali College, the largest park in the town, is among the facilities drawing attention. Around Rs 3 crore was spent on its development, while other parks were reportedly built at costs ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh each.
Chandbali Notified Area Council (NAC) has 15 parks, of which 14 were taken up for development under the MUKTA scheme. The old Nehru Park was also among the parks planned for development.
Despite the investment, residents say the condition of the facilities raises serious questions about their upkeep. Some have alleged irregularities in the development process and called for the authorities to examine the expenditure and maintenance arrangements.
“The purpose for which these parks were built has not been fulfilled. The open-gym equipment has been neglected and is no longer in a condition to be used,” said local resident Nirmal Rout.
Another resident, Amulya Rout, expressed disappointment over the condition of the park despite the reported spending.
“Looking at the condition of this park, it is hard to believe that crores of rupees have been spent on it. People visit parks to maintain their physical fitness, but the government has neglected these public spaces,” he said.
NAC Officials Promise Corrective Measures
Responding to the concerns, NAC officials said several parks were still incomplete and that efforts were underway to finish the pending work. They also acknowledged receiving reports of neglect and assured residents that steps would be taken to improve maintenance.
“We have 14 parks in total. Around four to five of them are incomplete, and we are trying to complete them within this year. Routine maintenance is carried out, but we have also received reports of neglect. We will try to address the issues and maintain the parks properly,” said Abhas Panigrahi, a Chandbali NAC official.
Residents have urged the local administration to repair damaged equipment, clear overgrown vegetation and ensure regular maintenance so that the parks remain safe and accessible.
With substantial public money invested in these facilities, residents say sustained monitoring and timely upkeep are essential to ensure the parks deliver lasting benefits to the community.
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