more-in The Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) is drawing up plans to develop the Bhujanga Park as a major picnic and recreation spot here. The park, located at Ajjarkad, is famous as Mahatma Gandhi delivered a public speech here during his only visit to Udupi on February 25, 1934. The six-and-a-half acre park, which is one of major lung spaces in the city, is divided into two sections – east and west. The CMC’s development plans will be focused on the eastern section of the park. The most ambitious of these plans is to start a children’s train facility in the park. “The tracks of the children’s train would be laid in such a manner that it does not disturb the daily walkers,” said D. Manjunathaiah, CMC Commissioner. The radio tower, located on a boulder, adds to the grandeur of the eastern section of the park. It was named such because in the days before television facility was introduced here, people visiting the park could listen to the evening news broadcast on All India Radio (AIR). The tower is getting a fresh coat of paint. “We want to play light music from the tower so that people can enjoy it and relax,” he said. Besides these, a water fountain will also be constructed in the midst of the park. Saplings of shady trees will be planted, lighting facility will be improved and a new walking track will also be laid in the eastern section. The children’s corner in the eastern section would be spruced up with new swings and merry-go-round equipment. Drinking water and toilet facilities too will also be provided at the park. The CMC had approached the Nirmiti Kendra for drawing up the plans for this major makeover. The CMC will seek funds from the Udupi Urban Development Authority (UUDA) for development and renovation of the park. “We might require at least ?2 crore to implement all the plans,” said Mr. Manjunathaiah. Meanwhile, a compound wall is being constructed to fence the park at a cost of ?1 crore under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

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