Neglect leaves Jubilee Hills park barely usable; residents seek revival | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: An unfinished park in HUDA Enclave, known as the GHMC HUDA Park in Jubilee Hills, which was meant to provide residents with a much-needed green space, has remained in limbo for nearly two years, according to residents. Incomplete renovation work, unsafe walkways and poor sanitation have made it difficult for visitors to use the park.According to a resident, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) took up renovation work around Sept last year, but the park continues to bear the marks of an incomplete project. Broken concrete structures, exposed iron beams and construction debris lie scattered across portions of the premises, posing a potential safety risk, particularly to children and senior citizens.“During the Covid period, the park was in good condition, but things began to deteriorate later. Piles of fallen leaves and garden waste were dumped inside the park. Some visitors also started bringing food, leaving behind plastic water bottles. After the rains, soil erosion exposed large stones along the walking paths, making it difficult for senior citizens like us to walk safely,” said Sri Nagesh T (70), a corporate executive who lives in an apartment behind the park.“I used to visit the park regularly a couple of months ago. During the road-widening work taken up some time back, the gate was removed, and the park was left without a proper compound wall, allowing stray dogs to enter. It used to be a beautiful space for children to play and for senior citizens to take walks, but the area was dug up and moving around the park became difficult,” said Soumya Guda (44), an industrialist residing in HUDA Enclave.Residents said they were forced to travel to KBR Park for some respite despite having a green space close to their homes. They said it was frustrating to have a sizeable public space that remained largely unusable because basic maintenance and renovation work had not been completed.

“People bring their pets here despite a sign at the gate stating ‘No pets allowed’, leaving the premises dirty. The lack of lighting is another concern. Once it gets dark, the park becomes a spot for people to consume alcohol, making residents uncomfortable using the space in the evenings,” said Punjari Narayan (56), a member of the DK Colony Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA).

“My daughter was young when we first appealed for a children’s play area with slides, see-saws and other play equipment in the park. She has grown up since then, but the park remains unchanged,” said Venkat Kona (58), a local resident and software professional.

When TOI contacted a senior official from GHMC’s Urban Biodiversity wing, the official said, “We had sent supervisors to inspect the park and will follow up on the matter. Residents will have to submit an official request, following which the budget can be approved and development work taken up.”Residents have urged civic authorities to complete the pending renovation, remove construction debris, repair the walkways and provide waste bins so the park can properly serve the neighbourhood.PFA extra pictures below. Primary pictures clicked by Suman.