Club encroachments eat into Vivekananda Park green space
Times of India | 9 January 2025
12 Kolkata: The civic body, after taking over Vivekananda Park's upkeep from Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, has discovered that chunks of the park have been encroached upon. Currently, the lion's share of the 43-bigha park is being used by eight cricket coaching clubs following an agreement with KMDA. According to a KMC parks department official, the civic body's survey department has been assigned to conduct a survey of the park and the allotment of space to cricket coaching camps.
"We believe several cricket camps have occupied more space than what they were allotted. After the survey, we will take over the additional land," the civic official said.
Taking advantage of ‘poor vigilance' on part of KMDA, some cricket coaching camps have constructed tents, encroaching on the park space, alleged a KMC official. KMC has asked the cricket camps to stop holding commercial tournaments and cooperate in the beautification project it intends to take up after demolishing unauthorized structures.
According to a KMC official, these steps are being taken to make the park more accessible to citizens. The KMC parks department has decided to clear encroachments and then beautify the park by creating necessary infrastructure for citizens to make the best use of one of the major parks in south Kolkata. The initiative was taken up by the KMC parks department on the eve of Swami Vivekananda's 162nd birth anniversary based on feedback from residents of Southern Avenue, Lake View Road, Keyatala Road, Sarat Chatterjee Road, among other areas. According to an official, residents of these areas have long complained of the encroachment of the park by different sports clubs.
"I have asked the heads of the clubs that had agreements with KMDA to show their papers. Based on them, we will reclaim areas that were occupied later. Our department may take up infrastructure development and beautification of the park," said Debasish Kumar, the MMiC overseeing the KMC parks department, on Wednesday.
According to plans, a joggers' track will be laid with paver blocks. Next, the KMC plans to install decorative benches. "Our priority is to clear encroachments and create a suitable ambience to make the park usable for citizens," said an official.
Locals welcomed the initiative. "Encroachments at the park should be prevented and it should be developed as a green zone for morning walkers and kids," said Amit Roy, a social worker and local resident.
Biswajit De from Southern Avenue said, "It will be great if encroachment is removed and we can use the only large park in the area,"
Cricketer and former national selector Sambaran Banerjee, who runs a cricket academy at Vivekananda Park, said he was committed to extending help to KMC in the beautification of the park. "I attended a meeting with the KMC brass in Dec where I made it clear that I will abide by the rules of the civic body in ensuring better upkeep of the park," Banerjee said.