Renovated parks in Nizamuddin thrown open to public

The DDA park, which is located at a land of five acres at the edge of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti in south Delhi, was frequented only by two per cent of the local population till 2008 when it was taken up for landscaping.

It was a haven for drug peddling in the area and the local people feared even stepping inside the park.

Four years later, the park was opened to the public today after being landscaped as part of a project by Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

After exhaustive community consultation, the landscape design was made and distinct usage was allotted to each of the three major parks.

"Thus there is now a Women's only Pardah Bagh with an attached Children's Park, a park for Community elders and events and the larger park being inaugurated today for youth sports and an overspill from the Barat Ghar," an AKTC statement said.

The landscape design also reflects the historic nature of the settlement and there has been a predominant use of natural materials such as sandstone, quartzite stone and hardy Delhi flora such as Ashoka, Alostonia, Spathodia, Chandni and Bougainvillaea.

Ajay Chaudhry, Additional Commissioner of Police, inaugurated the landscaped DDA parks and youth from Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti played an inaugural football match.

Chaudhary complimented the efforts of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and assured women the police will have a zero tolerance towards drug peddlers and will keep this park and surrounding areas free from drug users.

Shveta Mathur, AKTC Programme Officer for Urban Planning, explained that community management of facilities such as the toilets had ensured appropriate use and encouraged the community to play an active role in park management.

The project was part of an AKTC entered into with the MCD, Central Public Works Department and the Archaeological Survey of India to undertake the Urban renewal project.