HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, June 8: Established under the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yozana (SJSRY) scheme of the Assam government, Nehru Children Park at Balukhad under Ward No. 6 of the Margherita Municipal Board in Tinsukia district remains in a dilapidated condition, fifteen years after its inauguration.
The park was officially opened on February 10, 2010, by then Margherita MLA and Cabinet Minister Pradyut Bordoloi. Constructed to provide a recreational space for the children of the Balukhad area, the project had an initial budget allocation of Rs 32 lakhs, sanctioned by the Margherita Town Committee—now the Margherita Municipal Board—disbursed in two instalments of Rs 22 lakhs and Rs 10 lakhs.
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Despite its promising start, the park was closed a few years later. Allegedly, certain vested interests attempted to encroach upon the land, leading to its abandonment and eventual degradation.
Jun Pradhan, a noted social worker and local resident of Balukhad, expressed strong dissatisfaction over the current state of the park. “It is very unfortunate that a children’s park named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of our country, has been left to rot. This negligence lies squarely with Margherita Municipal Board Chairman Anand Kumar Sharma and his staff,” said Pradhan.
Pradhan further stated that several appeals were made to the Municipal Board and the Municipal Co-District administration to investigate the matter and identify those responsible for the theft and destruction of park equipment. However, even after 15 years since the park’s inauguration, no impartial inquiry has been conducted.
“The residents of Balukhad have repeatedly requested the Margherita Municipal Board to establish an open gym on the same plot, so the community can make use of the space for fitness and recreation. Sadly, our appeals have gone unheard. It seems there may be a secret understanding between the Municipal Board Chairman and vested interests, which has left the park in ruins,” alleged another concerned resident. Locals continue to hope that the authorities will finally take meaningful action to revive the park and put the land to proper use for the benefit of the community.
