Sopore, Oct 16 (KNO): The much-hyped Open Air Gym Park near Bypass Bridge in Sopore, which was e-inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha two years ago, has fallen into neglect, with broken washrooms, damaged tiles and shattered fencing raising serious questions over the quality of work and the accountability of executing agencies.
Estimated to cost around Rs 1 crore, the gym, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was part of a set of development projects inaugurated by the Lt Governor on September 7, 2023. These included the Office Complex of the Municipal Council Sopore worth Rs 1.96 crore, a public park at Mahrajpora costing Rs 53.27 lakh and a park at Chinkipora Ward estimated at Rs 40 lakh.
A visit to the site reveals broken, rusting structures, cracked tiles and shattered boundary fencing. Washrooms are defunct and windows damaged.
Residents alleged that the facility had been abandoned by the authorities soon after its inauguration. “The money spent on this project is totally wasted. Instead, it should have been used for something more important, like a dumping yard. It is unfortunate that Sopore still lacks a garbage dumping site,” said a local resident.
Locals also complained that the fountains, installed at Degree College and Ahad Bab crossing function only during VVIP visits. “We have seen these fountains work only a few times, especially during official visits,” said Aqib, a resident of Sopore.
On April 6, 2022, the then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir had inaugurated several such projects in Sopore, including fountains at Degree College Chowk and Ahad Bab crossing, besides laying a foundation stone for a public park at Khushal Colony near MET School. However, most of these structures now lie defunct.
Social-political activist Javeed Bhat said the current state of these projects reflects mismanagement and misuse of public money. “The projects inaugurated by the LG are in defunct condition and departments are misleading him. An inquiry should be initiated to look into the matter", he said.
He added that local bodies' works, including both ongoing and completed projects, should be scrutinized. “Whatever is being claimed on paper is nowhere visible on the ground,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Sopore Wali Mohammed said that he was not aware about the things and will look into the matters. “I am out of my office, I will check once I reach. The issue will be redressed,” CEO said upon being contacted—(KNO)