Row over naming of park

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, April 10, 2013: A controversy is brewing in Vizag over naming a public park being developed by Vuda in 20 acres of old jail area in the heart of the city. While the Congress government wanted to name it after its demised towering leader, YS Rajasekhar Reddy probably in a bid to counter the claims of YSRC cadres that his image has been tarnished by the ruling party, veterans, senior citizens and NGOs want the park to be named after Alluri Seetharama Raju belonging to this region who fought against the British and sacrificed his life.

They are of the opinion that Alluri symbolises the pride and identity of this region. However, ports and infrastructure minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao had recently ruled out changing the name from YSR-Vuda Park. He made it clear by stating that a decision in this regard has already been taken and there will not be looking back at a recent visit to the park, which is being developed.

Staff of Vuda engineering wing is sweating it out since more than two years to develop the park into a global attraction. The Park has been taken up in an area of about 20 acres with a cost of Rs 35 crores and very innovative attractions such as Jurassic Park, Bamboo Garden, Sky Gardens, Event Lawns, Children Ply Area, Cycling and jogging tracks and plazas with unique arrangements were taken up

Special focus has been given to develop greenery and landscaping to extend rich eco surroundings not only to the park but also to the surrounding areas.

“We want Vuda and government to name the Central Park after Alluri Seetarama Raju. Any deviation from this we will not hesitate to knock doors of the courts again. It should be a tribute to him who fought for independence. At that time he could inspire so many tribals without much innovation in communication technology.  His heroic epic should be passed onto the next generations so that they stay inspired. Unfortunately until now government had done nothing in the memory of Alluri Seetarama Raju. We don’t want any politician’s name to please somebody but we want a true freedom fighter” said Praja Spandana founder president, for IES officer, CS Rao.

It was Praja Spandana, a civil society organisation that played an important role in seeking judicial intervention on the way the Old Central Jail land should be used. Earlier there were proposals that the old jail road be given to private parties on PPP mode to develop commercial complex, mall with multiplexes. But Praja Spandana filed a PIL at High Court and got an order that the land should be developed as Park as a lung space.

“Congress leaders wanted to name the park after YSR and planned a grand opening to send a message to public that the party still considers him as their leader to counter YSRC campaign that the ruling party has dumped YSR though he served Congress for his lifetime. Now it turned interesting let’s see what’s going to happen,” observed an YSRC leader