Neglect by Floriculture Department Leaves Raj Bagh Joggers Park at the Mercy of Stray Dogs
Srinagar, Oct 23, KNT: Raj Bagh’s Joggers Park, frequented daily by walkers, joggers, children and other people, is falling into neglect, with damaged infrastructure, deteriorating grounds and inadequate maintenance raising serious questions about the functioning and accountability of the Floriculture Department.
The park, meant to provide people with a clean, green and welcoming space for recreation and physical activity, is increasingly losing its appeal as basic upkeep appears to have taken a back seat. Stray dogs have been digging up the grassy areas, leaving patches of ground damaged and disfigured. The unchecked deterioration has added to concerns among people who visit the park to exercise, walk or spend time outdoors.
Questions are also being raised over the apparent absence of gardeners and routine maintenance staff despite two quarters within the park reportedly remaining locked. “If accommodation and staff facilities are available but regular maintenance is not visible, the department needs to explain how the park is being managed and who is responsible for its upkeep,” joggers told the news agency Kashmir News Trust adding that the continued deterioration has raised concerns about supervision, staff deployment and accountability.
The neglect, according to concerns raised by park users, extends beyond the grounds. Equipment intended for children and joggers is damaged, while the condition of the washrooms has become another source of dissatisfaction. The lack of properly maintained facilities undermines the purpose of a public park that serves as an important recreational space for residents of the area.
The situation raises a broader question about the Floriculture Department’s priorities: who is monitoring the condition of the park, how frequently are maintenance staff deployed, and what action is being taken to protect public infrastructure from damage? A park cannot be maintained merely by keeping its gates open; it requires regular gardening, sanitation, repairs and effective supervision.
Locals who rely on the facility deserve more than a neglected stretch of green space. “The department must inspect the park, restore the damaged grounds, repair broken equipment, ensure clean and usable washrooms, and clarify the status of the reportedly locked quarters and the staff responsible for maintenance. Measures to manage stray dogs and prevent further damage are also needed,” some of the visitors said.
The continued deterioration of a public recreational facility in the heart of Srinagar reflects a troubling gap between the purpose of such spaces and the attention they receive. The Floriculture Department must explain the state of affairs and demonstrate that responsibility for maintaining the park has not been allowed to lapse. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
