Hyd's Sanjeevaiah park now 'children-only', adults unaccompanied by kids not allowed

Spread across 90 acres right beside Hussainsagar lake in the heart of Hyderabad, Sanjeevaiah park will no longer accommodate couples, who were known to frequent it for some privacy. This came after the Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BBPA) under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), decided to convert it into a park exclusively for children, and their attendants. 

The change came into effect from Thursday. Following orders from authorities, the staff have made necessary arrangements and put up sign boards at the main gate, which stated that only children under 14 years of age would be allowed, along with their parents or guardians. Anyone over the age of 14 unaccompanied by children will not be allowed to enter, officials said. The officials also said that children from government schools will be given entry into the park free of cost, if they were accompanied by their teachers.

The park is known to host several mini-parks like a herbal park, a butterfly park and a rose garden in its premises, and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also home to one of the largest national flags in India, mounted atop a nearly 300-ft tall flag pole. 

The latest development was questioned by many, who dubbed it a deliberate attempt to make the park 'unfriendly' for teenagers and young adults, as it was a known hangout spot for young couples. However, officials said that there was a proposal to create a children-only park in the city, and denied the allegations.

Speaking to TNM, M Ram Kishan, Secretary, HMDA and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of BPPA defended the move. "The decision to convert the park into one that was exclusively for children, was aimed at promoting science and inculcating a sense of concern for the environment, in school-going children." 

When asked if the move was to prevent the entry of couples into the park, the official said, "It was not intended to stop couples or anyone. Authorities thought of having a dedicated park for children in the city."

The entry fee has been reduced to Rs 10 from the earlier Rs 20 and authorities have maintained that smoking, consumption of alcohol and other intoxicating substances and gambling are prohibited within the park's premises.

Meanwhile HMDA officials in coordination with city police have already initiated security measures inside the park with authorities stating that 300 CCTV cameras would be installed in its premises soon.

Today HMDA officials Aiegis CC TV contractors visited Necklace Road , Sanjeevaiah Park and noted the points for installation of CC TVs and informed that they will install more than 300 CC cameras around Hussain sagar lake including with sanjeevaiah park , Lumbini park , NTR Ghat pic.twitter.com/hVt0D6QPxE

— SHO RAMGOPALPET (@shoramgopalpet) August 29, 2019