PWD commences work to build three eco parks in Ranipet

The Public Works Department (PWD) commenced setting up eco parks at three identified spots near key intersections in Ranipet town on Tuesday.

Officials of PWD said that the new parks have been designed for two purposes. The new facility will provide much-needed leisure space for children and senior citizens, offering amenities specifically designed for these segments of society.

The parks will also provide aesthetic views for travellers who enter Ranipet town. “The new parks are planned at key intersections that act as entry and exit points in the district. The eco parks will act as a green lung in the area. The entire work will be completed by February,” S. Tripura Sundari, Executive Engineer (EE), PWD (Ranipet), told The Hindu.

Minister for Textiles and Handlooms R. Gandhi laid the foundation for the new eco parks. District Collector J.U. Chandrakala and S. Selvakumar, Divisional Engineer (DE), State Highways (Ranipet), were also present. “The new ecopark is a welcome measure. Apart from civic amenities, the new facility should also have safety features like CCTV cameras and security guards to ensure the safety of visitors, especially women and children,” said B. Vanita, a resident.

As per the plan, intersections at the KH Road junction, V.C. Mottur Road and a new ROB that connects Navalpur and Karai villages near Ranipet town have been identified for new eco parks. The eco parks are the first of their kind that will be set up at a cost of ₹4.75 crore. Additional funds will be roped in from the Local Area Development fund of Ranipet MLA, Mr. Gandhi, to extend the initiative to other key towns like Arakkonam and Sholingur.

Each eco park, on an average, will be at least on one acre. It will have a children’s play area, tiled walking track, retail spaces for selling snacks and beverages for visitors and dedicated parking. Seating arrangements and washrooms will be provided. The entire facility will be fenced with CCTV cameras and high mast lamps. Saplings of native fruit-bearing and shade tree species like guava, naval tree, izhupai tree, mango and gooseberry will be planted. An overhead tank will be built to water saplings regularly.

As identified spots are located within its limits, State Highways has given its land free of cost to set up the new eco parks. Once completed, new eco parks will be maintained by Ranipet municipality or under a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of a company.