The cherished memories of Nagpur’s community, especially children, have long revolved around the Children’s Traffic Park situated at Dharampeth and now it lies in the shambles due to utter neglect by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorities. Once the park was thriving with visitors of all ages coming from different parts of the city, now wear’s a deserted look. Around the year 2018-19, the park faced closure and deprived a generation of children of the fun-filled experiences it once offered. The park was opened with the aim to instill traffic discipline among children and citizens alike. It is more than necessary considering the detorioration of traffic sense among majority of the road users. Yet slumbering civic body authorities are least bothered about their own sense of duty, and are more than happy to turn it into a dump yard of discarded materials. Rental bi-cycles, traffic signal-themed roads, traffic sign boards, and the interactive spaces designed for children to observe and learn are now things of the past. Once the park brimmed with joy and learning. Summer camps and activities were a routine especially during vacations. The Traffic Park provided a space for children to interact with each other, develop traffic awareness and spend quality time with friends and family. The park’s infrastructure is neglected now, merely serving as a space for citizens to do their regular morning and evening walks.

 

A walk around the park reveals, non maintainance of playground equipments that are rusting and a musical fountain lying abandoned. It pained to see sheer wastage of public money just to suit whim and fancies of few. In conversation with ‘The Hitavada’, Anchal Goyal, Additional Municipal Commissioner, and Ravindra Bhelawe, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Garden), shed light on the park’s potential future plans. The reason for closing down the park was attributed by civic officials to complaints from residents in the vicinity. The daily congestion caused by citizens who gathered at the fast-food stalls infront of the park forced to rethink on continuation of the park, stated Ravindra Bhelawe. He added that the residents and an NGO took matters to the court resulting in its closure. Nothing can be more than true, as park itself and outside encroachment cannot be mixed to justify closure of a facility meant for educating citizens about traffic rules.