Hidco, which builds and looks after infrastructure in the township, has built three such parks — one in each action area
SNEHAL SENGUPTA, Kolkata: Small vacant plots in New Town where garbage had piled up over the years have been turned into parks and gardens.
Hidco, which builds and looks after infrastructure in the township, has built three such parks — one in each action area.
Garbage, including paper plates, plastic bags, styrofoam plates and used sanitary items, were dumped on the plots, which are all near main roads.
A Hidco official said they had set up the parks and gardens following repeated pleas from residents “to do something” about garbage-filled vacant plots.
“We organised a survey and identified three worst-affected plots. We then held a meeting and decided to fence off the plot and set up small gardens and parks there. That will act as a natural deterrent to the dumping of garbage,” the official said.
All the parks have paved walkways, LED lights and small benches.
The gates are kept open on all days.
Debashis Sen, the managing director of Hidco, said they had spoken to residents of housing complexes and cooperatives nearby and asked them to hold events such as food festivals and sit-n-draw contests on the plots so that they become vibrant hubs for residents to mingle.
“These places have undergone a complete transformation and we want to keep it that way. We want this model to be adopted across New Town,” said Sen.
