One of the most favourite open space for the residents of Mylapore is the sprawling Nageswara Rao Park at Luz, Chennai. Though the park got a makeover recently, people coming here are not happy as they feel the park still needs better facilities.
Many people are unhappy with the rolling gates that are used to enter the park. According to Hema, a house-wife, “Earlier the main gates were opened and it was easy for parents to bring their child in a pram and spend some time in the park but now the main gate has remained closed for nearly six months now which has denied us the option of coming to the park with our children in pram. Also, many persons in a wheelchairs were visiting the park before this and they too want the person-in-charge of the park to open the main gate,” she says.
Sivaram, another resident of Mylapore says, “The park is a good place to spend a good evening but one should do it before dusk. After it gets dark, the park is not well lit and dim lights here makes it difficult for women and senior citizens to be here,” he says.
“There are many stone benches in the park and after it gets dark only the pathway is lit and the other areas where the stone benches are present remains dark where some people even indulge in drinking and smoking. Many lover couples too exceed their limits,” he adds.
When News Today spoke to the security of the park, Duraiswamy on why the park’s gate remains closed, he says, “When it was open many young boys brought their cycles and two-wheelers inside and caused trouble to those walking here. Even when I confronted them, they continued doing it so that’s why we decided to close it.” “Whenever I see a person in wheel-chair, I will open the gate for them and allow them inside,” he adds, who has been living inside the park for the last four years.