Photo: Lingaraj Panda

PLACE TO BE: A view of the Biju Patnaik Park in Berhampur.

BERHAMPUR: People will get a lung space after a long wait with the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) deciding to throw open the Biju Patnaik Park to public on December 13.

"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has agreed to inaugurate the park, which was once an abandoned tank," BDA Chairman Sarat Ranjan Patnaik told The Hindu recently after returning from Bhubaneswar.

The park is a dream come true for residents of Berhampur as they have no space to spend time with family and friends for relaxation. The city has a few parks like Gandhi Park and Nehru Park, which are small in size and badly maintained.

The foundation stone for the Biju Patnaik Park was laid in 2003 by Mr. Naveen Patnaik. The BDA did the landscaping for the park spread over seven acres.

Attractions

The park has a musical fountain, provision for boating for children, a floating mountain and beautiful lawns. A firm from Kolkata has been hired for beautifying it further. So far, Rs.1.40 crores has been spent.

The park has beautifully-decorated lamps which will be an added attraction.

Ducks, which are released into the waterfall, have a well-designed house for rest at night.

In tune with the policy to generate resources on its own by the Urban Development Authorities, the BDA entrusted the job of maintaining the park to a private party, Mr. Sarat Ranjan Patnaik said.

There will be entry fee for visitors.

For those aged above 14, it will be Rs. 5 and for those between 5 and 14 years, it will be Rs. 2. Entry will be free for children below five years. Once in a month free entry will be allowed for below poverty line cardholders.

Senior citizens and morning walkers will be issued a monthly card for Rs. 100. As a gesture, the BDA has decided to allow senior citizens free entry from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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