Closed parks leave stall, ride owners concerned
Say Eidul Fitr is a prime ‘season’ for them to earn
Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
As the Eidul Fitr celebrations end, the closure of different parks in the federal capital disappointed more than just the public. Owners of small amusement rides and other stalls in these parks could not cash in on what is one their busiest times of the year.
Many parks in Islamabad have allocated portions for mini-amusement parks with a few rides. These amusement parks are established under a public-private partnership or are auctioned off by the park management - the Capital Development Authority (CDA) - to private vendors who install different rides to attract visitors. The same is the case for snack and gift item vendors in these parks.
However, with the district administration closing down all the parks in the city for fear of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading at such public places, these vendors have found it difficult to make ends meet for the past two months. To make matters worse, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration kept the parks closed for Eidul Fitr as well for fear of large gatherings and the mass transmission of the virus which has so far infected at least 1,879 people and claimed 18 lives in the city.
Contractors termed Eidul Fitr their ‘season’ to earn big, adding that they were disappointed when the administration kept public parks and the zoo closed for the annual holiday.
Syed Hasnain Gillani, who manages rides installed at the Japan Park - a popular destination for residents of the federal capital, told The Express Tribune this was the first time in the past 15 years when his financial condition was this poor.
He continued that no one has visited the park for the past couple of months and hence he has been unable to generate any revenue from the machines.
Gillani despondently said that on the one hand he has had no visitors while on the other he has to pay rent to the CDA every month for occupying space in the park apart from paying salaries to the ride operators.
Acknowledging that it may be unsafe to reopen parks at the moment given the situation surrounding Covid-19, he urged the government to announce some sort of relief package for those who are running this business in the federal capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2020.
As the Eidul Fitr celebrations end, the closure of different parks in the federal capital disappointed more than just the public. Owners of small amusement rides and other stalls in these parks could not cash in on what is one their busiest times of the year.
Many parks in Islamabad have allocated portions for mini-amusement parks with a few rides. These amusement parks are established under a public-private partnership or are auctioned off by the park management - the Capital Development Authority (CDA) - to private vendors who install different rides to attract visitors. The same is the case for snack and gift item vendors in these parks.
However, with the district administration closing down all the parks in the city for fear of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading at such public places, these vendors have found it difficult to make ends meet for the past two months. To make matters worse, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration kept the parks closed for Eidul Fitr as well for fear of large gatherings and the mass transmission of the virus which has so far infected at least 1,879 people and claimed 18 lives in the city.
Contractors termed Eidul Fitr their ‘season’ to earn big, adding that they were disappointed when the administration kept public parks and the zoo closed for the annual holiday.
Syed Hasnain Gillani, who manages rides installed at the Japan Park - a popular destination for residents of the federal capital, told The Express Tribune this was the first time in the past 15 years when his financial condition was this poor.
He continued that no one has visited the park for the past couple of months and hence he has been unable to generate any revenue from the machines.
Gillani despondently said that on the one hand he has had no visitors while on the other he has to pay rent to the CDA every month for occupying space in the park apart from paying salaries to the ride operators.
Acknowledging that it may be unsafe to reopen parks at the moment given the situation surrounding Covid-19, he urged the government to announce some sort of relief package for those who are running this business in the federal capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2020.