Chennai: Corporation parks are meant for people to relax and Vadapalani in the city is known for the number of parks it has for people to come and spedn their time in a leisurely manner.
The Greater Chennai Corporation Park in SBI Colony in the locality is even more special, not just for the public but also for the Swiggy and Zomato delivery boys and to auto drivers in the area.
Located right in the middle, the park is a haven for these men whose work basically involves a lot of commutation.
Between two trips or deliveries, it is this park, that gives them a greener, cleaner and an ambient space to take rest. Sometimes, one can spot a group of Swiggy delivery boys wearing orange tees playing cricket inside the park.
When News Today caught up with Rajarajan, one of the auto drivers, he said,”The first thing we like about this park is the enclosure it gives with trees totally. The sunshade here is not only cool but also breezy that one easily falls asleep.” He said during peak hours, at an instance at least 100 men would be occupying the park.
Krishnakumar, a delivery boy who was playing cricket with his friends told,”This area including Saligramam, Virugambakkam, Alwar Tirunagar, and West Vadapalani alone has over 250 food outlets that are linked with either of the two online food purchase platforms. So, the number of delivery boys is pretty much high. So, we all converge every day at this park.”
The delivery agent also funnily denoted that,”None of us has played a match completely. If we play for two hours continuously, the alternation of players would be happening frequently, as we have to leave or join before and after delivery of food. But, we have got used to that, and it is totally fun,” he said.
Along with Krishna, there were about 20 delivery agents playing at that time.”Initially, we did not think of playing. But, as we got to know each other we started to play small matches with balls made of handkerchief and cardboard bats. Our games started to evolve in the meantime and now it has become a routine for us,” he said.
Krishna further said,”When I come here for evening duty, I have also seen a lot of wannabe filmmakers. They will be discussing stories and about movies, they had watched.”
The park, though is comparatively small when compared to others in the area, the location of it in the middle of a calm residential area and equidistant to all eateries in the area make it significant for the lifestyle of these men who roam round the clock, he ended and joined his comrades.